Obituary of Trudie Konicek

Trudie Elizabeth (Sedlmayr) Konicek, 90, formerly of Rochester, passed away Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, at Walker Methodist Health Center in Minneapolis. Born Nov. 7, 1926, in Wyalusing, Wis., Trudie was the sixth of seven children to parents George M. and Mamie S. (Klein) Sedlmayr. After graduating high school, she obtained a teaching certificate and taught in a one-room schoolhouse for three years in Bagley, Wis. As part of the Cadet Nurse Corps initiative, she enrolled in the University of Minnesota's nursing program, obtaining her BSN in 1948 and RN license in 1949. She then met her husband, Dr. Robert George Konicek, a resident in her hospital, and they were married Aug. 22, 1950. They lived in Milwaukee, Prairie du Chien, and Tomah, Wis., before moving their 10 children to Rochester, in 1968. They lived in the three-story Hilltop (Asbury) House at Indian Heights Park. She briefly returned to teaching (at St. Pius X Elementary) and to nursing (Samaritan Bethany Home), keeping her nursing license active through 1992. Her husband died in 1993. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic church. Trudie was well known and loved by many, and remained active in her more senior years. She was fond of singing in her church's choir, square dancing at the senior center, and playing bridge, cribbage, and billiards. She was active in the Olmsted Community Hospital Women's Auxiliary and was a loved member in her group of friends, the "Golden Girls." She managed bipolar disorder throughout her life, and had a long journey with Alzheimer's-type dementia, but neither of these slowed her down. In 2009, she moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to care-giving family. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, warm and encouraging personality, and ability to touch the hearts of each person she met. She is missed, but her family and friends carry forward her memories, sense of humor, and great skills in cooking, canning, and baking. Trudie is survived by eight children, Denise (Rich Adler) of Winchester, Mass., Mary (Bruce) Borgschatz of Rochester, Michael (Cassie) of Santa Clara, Calif., Linda of St. Paul, Lawrence of West St. Paul, John of Minneapolis, Thomas (Suzie Buckrey) of Edina, Minn., and Paul (Leanne) of Santa Clara, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings; husband, Dr. Robert Konicek; and two sons, Denis and Robert "Bobby." Always a nurse and educator — and to continue medical education and research — she prearranged donation of her brain to Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that any memorials be sent there. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.