Obit: Jenkins, Catherine “Trink” (1928 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Jenkins, Thoren, Merrill, Brunette

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/12/2020

Jenkins, Catherine “Trink” (9 April 1928 – 8 February 2020)

Catherine “Trink” (Merrill) Jenkins passed away on February 8, 2020.

She was born April 9, 1928 to Clara (Thoren) Merrill and Giles Andrew Merrill in Avon, Fulton County, Illinois. She graduated from Avon high school in 1946 and attended Knox College where she met and married Donald Howard Jenkins in June of 1948.

Following their marriage, they moved to Richland, WA and worked for General Electric on the Hanford Project. In 1953, a move was made to Pullman, WA and Washington University so Donald could pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. After his graduation in 1958, the family moved back to Illinois and established an animal clinic in North Aurora.

In 1969, a move was made to Neillsville. Here Catherine became involved in the community serving on the Planning Commission, Election Board, and Tufts Mansion Board. She was also active in her church - singing in the choir, providing altar flowers each Sunday and working on projects for the holiday fair. Her home and garden were her passion and she enjoyed golfing, playing cards and being with dear friends. But mostly, her love of family was intense.

Catherine's parents, her husband, Don and her daughter-in-law, Cathleen preceded her in death.

Catherine is survived by her daughter Meryl (Mark) Brunette of Neillsville and son, David (Caroline) of Ventura, CA, grandchildren, Jacob, Molly, Crista and Steven, great grandchildren, Emersyn, Everly, Ellawyn, Archer, Hank, Vera, Lily, Adree, Dallin, Presley, and Kennedy.

Memorials may be given to Neillsville United Church of Christ and Clark County Humane Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Neillsville UCC on May 31, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. with Visitation from 1 to 2 p.m.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Catherine’s family with funeral arrangements.