Geoffrey L. Mykleby

Geoffrey Lynn Mykleby, 70, of Wauwatosa, Wis., formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 7, 2023. He was born Jan. 20, 1953, in Albert Lea, Minn. Spouse: Kathy (Wold) Mykleby. Parents: Forrest and Elaine Mykleby. Siblings: Brian (Connie) Mykleby, Bettendorf, Iowa; Diane (Michael) McDonnell, Hopkins, Minn., and Sandy Mykleby, St. Paul, Minn. Look up into the clouds, you just might see Geoff Mykleby doing the backstroke at a record pace. What a fun loving, but too-short timeline he lived! He adored his family, his profession, every single friend he made in so many places while growing up. And, of course, he loved his obsession. SWIMMING! Geoff jumped in his neighborhood pool in Omaha when he was 8 years old. A coach noticed he was a natural and asked his mom to sign him up for a meet. He won the first of countless victories over the decades; all over the country. From that point on, he swam competitively at Homewood Flossmoor High School (Illinois), Cedar Rapids Washington High School, North Carolina State University, the Schroeder and Elmbrook Masters swim teams. Along the way, he tackled open water swimming in Lake Michigan, Maui, the Mediterranean and Mexico. When he was 16, then living in Cedar Rapids, his dad observed that dentists seem to have an enjoyable life. He took note and years later set out to protect and promote as many smiles as possible. He participated in continuing education events and became the Milwaukee Brewers' team dentist. Unfortunately, health issues forced him to retire much sooner than he planned. In his early 20s, while in dental school at the University of Iowa, a woman named Kathy stepped on his toe at a crowded college party hoping to start up a conversation. They toasted their 45th wedding anniversary last New Year's Eve. Through the years, there were moves from Iowa to Oklahoma and then Milwaukee. The fates were on their side. Geoff's practice grew. Kathy began a longtime television news career. They hosted giant Thanksgiving celebrations in their dream home including their parents, brothers and sisters, spouses, nieces, nephews and lots of friends too. One year there were more than 50 people jammed in the house on Turkey Day. Many a friend has been quoted saying, "that was the best party ever!" after attending their wedding in Chicago in 1977 and Geoff's giant 65th surprise birthday party in Milwaukee in 2018. 2013 was a tough year. A curious bump on the back of Geoff's neck uncovered cancer. Geoff kept working, enjoying life and swimming, even managing to convince Kathy to breathe under water when they joined the Hoyt Park pool. In 2020, their "home away from home pool" and ocean waters became Puerto Vallarta. Unfortunately, Geoff's cancer is extremely rare and terribly tenacious. It was caused by a mutation of cells. The Clear Cell Sarcoma Foundation believes Geoff held the record as the longest living survivor. He liked to think that swimming (and his Viking/Norwegian heritage) had something to do with that! Geoff died at home in hospice with a renewed goal in his heart: LIFEGUARDS! There is a dire need to recruit and train more people to keep pools open and to share the joy of swimming. He contributed and now hopes to inspire more donation to: https://www.westgatecommunityfoundation.org/ geoffmklebymemorial A Celebration of Life event is being planned for a future date.