Hoffmann-Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Mary Jo Trentz, 78, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025, at Bethany Home, surrounded by her children, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
A prayer service will be held at 3:00 pm Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 7:00 pm.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Jo will be 10:00 am Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Steven Rosonke as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.
Mary Jo was born on May 19, 1946, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Herbert and Bernadette Klauer. She grew up attending St. Anthony's School, where she remained a lifelong devout parishioner, and graduated from Wahlert High School in 1964. On June 24, 1967, she married the love of her life, Bob Trentz, and together they created a beautiful home, raising four amazing children.
Being a mom was Mary Jo's greatest passion. She poured her heart into her family, making her role as a mother both her career and her calling. While supporting Bob's acoustical ceiling business, Mary Jo still found time to be a Scout leader, CCD teacher, PTA volunteer, chauffeur, dance chaperone (much to protests of her children), and the biggest cheerleader at every game, recital, and school event. She somehow always managed to have dinner on the table, no matter how busy the day had been. She was endlessly giving, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for her family.
When Bob passed away suddenly in 1987, Mary Jo found the strength to step into both parental roles with grace and resilience. She began working as a bank teller, initially at First National Bank and later at US Bank, from which she eventually retired. She found love and companionship again with Allan Ede, who remained by her side for the rest of her years.
Mary Jo captured a lifetime of memories with her family, and would seldom be seen without a camera in hand. Her house was always filled with music-her favorite songs on repeat as she putzed around the kitchen. Holidays were her time to shine. She dyed food to match every holiday, served homemade Halloween pizza, called Thanksgiving bingo with gold dollar prizes while gifting memorable ornaments to all, and orchestrated a legendary Christmas-complete with an accidentally exploding chocolate fountain. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and her festive decorations were the envy of the North Pole elves. Mary Jo treasured her family most of all, especially her grandchildren, whom she spoiled with love and pillow presents. When she wasn't with family, she could be found tending to her flowers, watching Golden Girls, shopping on QVC, or reminiscing about summers at Freddy's Beach as a kid and trips to Disney World as a bigger "kid". She loved dancing, giraffes, card club nights, and anything red.
Mary Jo leaves behind her loving partner, Allan Ede; her four children, Brian (Julie) Trentz, Kristy Trentz, Laura Trentz, and Leslie (Luis) Del Toro; and six grandchildren, Cameron, Cassie (Jason), Jamie, Lily, Parker, and Foster, with a great-grandson soon to arrive; and Allan's children and grandchildren. She is joyfully reunited in heaven with her husband, Bob; her best friend and brother, Jim Klauer; and her parents, Herbert and Bernadette Klauer, along with many other family members and dear friends.
A memorial has been established for Bethany Home.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the incredible caregivers at Bethany Home, Dr. Michael Peroski, and the staff at Mercy Hospital and Hospice Dubuque, for their kindness and compassionate care.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Mary Jo's obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.
LINKS
Telegraph Herald
http://www.thonline.com
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