Joseph Harry Trinkl

Joseph Harry Trinkl

 Born in Cudahy, WI on August 30, 1925 to Cecilia (nee Fischl) and Joseph Trinkl.  His household was German-speaking and it wasn't until he began attending St. Francis Parochial School at the age of 5 that he learned English.  Joe's childhood was happy; one of his favorite memories was taking a trip by bike around Lake Michigan with two friends when he was 15.  After graduating from Lincoln High School, he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces at the age of 17 and on August 24, 1943, during WWII, was sworn in as an Air Cadet at Camp Grant in Illinois.  From there, he was based at Jefferson Barracks, MO and the University of Missouri before moving to Fort Worth, TX and San Antonio, TX, and then onto Carlsbad, NM and Yuma, AZ, all while undergoing training to map Europe and flying in a B-26 Marauder.  He obtained the rank of Lieutenant.  Fortunately, the war ended before he was deployed and Joe was discharged with expertise as a Navigator, Radar Navigator, and Bombardier.

Back in civilian life and after the adventure of a lifetime driving a retrofitted Gridley truck with three buddies up to Fairbanks, AK.;  Joe met his wife, Joan Ledvorowski, while taking a placement test in the Veteran's Office at Marquette University.  They were married at St. Lawrence Catholic Church on May 29, 1948, raising six children and building a house together in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright from plans Joe drew.

Despite his placement test at Marquette indicating a strength in architecture, a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Frank Lloyd Wright, and an opportunity to attend Wright's school, Joe decided to study drafting at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.  Returning to Milwaukee, he worked for Heuser Architect, Coifman Architect, Doerner Tile Co., the Federal Housing Administration, Heinen Contractors, Mark IV Construction, and Frank Bauer Construction before opening his own business, Bauer-Trinkl Inc.  In 1986, after more than 20 years of running his own company, Joe retired.

In his free time, Joe was a huge Green Bay Packer fan, an avid gardener and traveler, taking many trips to Europe and other exotic locales with Joan, and was always devoted to the Catholic Church. As a long-time member of the parishes of Mother of Perpetual Help and Blessed Savior, he served as a Lay Minister, member of the Holy Name Society and Parish Council, and treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  He was also a member of the Campanile Society.

Joe is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joan; five children, Jean (Michael) Goodstein, Jacqueline (the late Lawrence) Wedgeworth, John (Grace), Joseph (Kathleen), and Jayne (Christopher) Ehlenbach; 15 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; sister Viola (Lawrence) Mehrens; brother in law Donald (Elaine) Ledrowski; other loving family and friends.  Joe was preceded in death by his eldest son, Jerome (Doris). 

Joe will always be remembered for his work ethic, generosity, love for and devotion to family and friends, and steadfastness to his Catholic faith.

Rest in peace, Joe, with God in Heaven.

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