Ellen J. (Trejtnar) Skripsky
June 16, 1927 — March 9, 2020
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the world’s current unforeseen circumstances, the services for Ellen Skripsky that were scheduled for this Saturday, March 21st, will be postponed until the spring. We will publish her service information at a later date so everyone will be able to properly honor Ellen at that time
Ellen J. Trejtnar Skripsky, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at her home. Per Ellen’s wishes, she will be cremated. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the spring of 2020. Private burial: Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Ellen was born June 16, 1927, the daughter of Joseph W. and Hermina (Unzeitig) Trejtnar. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1945 with honors. During her senior year in high school, she won several national flute contests. Ellen attended Iowa State University where she was the solo Flutist with the Iowa State Marching Band, and continued teaching flute for many years. She was a Welcome Wagon Hostess for Newcomers 1951 – 1956, Personnel Assistant for Bishop Buffets, Inc. from 1967 – 1986, until the general office closed. Ellen also worked as a Sales Director and Convention Coordinator for The Sheraton Four Point Hotel from 1987 – 1998, retiring at the age of 70.
During her career days she was a member of the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Service organization serving as President, Vice President, and District Chairman for the Kiwanis International Service Project, Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), and in 1999 – 2001, she served as President of the C.R. Kiwanis Charitable Foundation. She was recognized by the C.R. Kiwanis Club with George K. Hixson Fellowship award for outstanding service, receiving the Distinguished Presidents Award 1992 – 1993, and the Top Progress Award in 1993 – 1994, by Wes H. Bartlett, Past President of Kiwanis International.
Ellen took great interest in her children and grandchildren along with being deeply committed to public service. She volunteered for the I-Max McLeod-Bussex Science Station, I.S.U. Linn County Extension Service as a Master Gardener from 1988, until the present time. She was a lifetime Master Gardener, a Master Composter and served four years on the Master Gardener Steering Committee and as a Social Chairman for the program, also serving on many Master Gardener committees.
Ellen was involved in many organizations. During her career years she was a member of the C.R. Convention & Visitors Bureau, C.R. Public Relations Association and also very active in SCORE. She was a member of Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church, Czech Slovak Museum, Daughters of the Nile, and the Shrine Auxiliary. She was a Charter Member of Brucemore and a Charter member of the M.I. Hummel Collectors Club, El Kahir Ladies Auxiliary, and Czech Heritage Foundation. She was a past volunteer for Brucemore, College Growth Fund and Mount Mercy Dollars for Scholars annual fund drives.
Ellen was a devoted mother willing to sacrifice for her family. Spending time with her grandchildren gave her great pleasure. She never let an opportunity for kindness and consideration slip by. Over a period of years, she made beautiful wool braided rugs. Her great passion for gardening and her energy, enthusiasm and love of nature, the environment and the out of doors were contagious. She grew flowers and she shared flowers. Ellen was often heard to say, “A good friend and neighbor are the greatest treasure a person can possess.” She will be greatly missed by her family and friends whose lives she touched and loved.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph W. and Hermina (Unzeitig) Trejtnar; husband, Harold O. Skripsky; sister, Marianne Klinsky; brother-in-law, Joseph Klinsky, and daughter-in-law, Beverly Skripsky.
Survivors include her son, Harold D. Skripsky; daughters, Sandi (Glenn) Pratt and Peggy (Bob) Gleason; grandchildren, Kristin Wasson, Justin Wasson, Kelly Hurter, Matthew Skripsky, and Misti Rakowitz; great-grandchildren, Dexter and Amelia Wasson, Lincoln, Oscar and Elsie Hurter, Ace and Lyla Skripsky, Coby and Abby Rakowitz.
Ellen’s family would like to thank Dr. Chirantan Ghosh, Dr. Keith Kopec, and Hospice of Mercy for their wonderful care of Ellen.
Ellen requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Charitable Foundation or I.S.U. Linn County Master Gardener Program.
Ellen J. Trejtnar Skripsky, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Monday, March 9, 2020, at her home. Per Ellen’s wishes, she will be cremated. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the spring of 2020. Private burial: Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Ellen was born June 16, 1927, the daughter of Joseph W. and Hermina (Unzeitig) Trejtnar. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1945 with honors. During her senior year in high school, she won several national flute contests. Ellen attended Iowa State University where she was the solo Flutist with the Iowa State Marching Band, and continued teaching flute for many years. She was a Welcome Wagon Hostess for Newcomers 1951 – 1956, Personnel Assistant for Bishop Buffets, Inc. from 1967 – 1986, until the general office closed. Ellen also worked as a Sales Director and Convention Coordinator for The Sheraton Four Point Hotel from 1987 – 1998, retiring at the age of 70.
During her career days she was a member of the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Service organization serving as President, Vice President, and District Chairman for the Kiwanis International Service Project, Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), and in 1999 – 2001, she served as President of the C.R. Kiwanis Charitable Foundation. She was recognized by the C.R. Kiwanis Club with George K. Hixson Fellowship award for outstanding service, receiving the Distinguished Presidents Award 1992 – 1993, and the Top Progress Award in 1993 – 1994, by Wes H. Bartlett, Past President of Kiwanis International.
Ellen took great interest in her children and grandchildren along with being deeply committed to public service. She volunteered for the I-Max McLeod-Bussex Science Station, I.S.U. Linn County Extension Service as a Master Gardener from 1988, until the present time. She was a lifetime Master Gardener, a Master Composter and served four years on the Master Gardener Steering Committee and as a Social Chairman for the program, also serving on many Master Gardener committees.
Ellen was involved in many organizations. During her career years she was a member of the C.R. Convention & Visitors Bureau, C.R. Public Relations Association and also very active in SCORE. She was a member of Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church, Czech Slovak Museum, Daughters of the Nile, and the Shrine Auxiliary. She was a Charter Member of Brucemore and a Charter member of the M.I. Hummel Collectors Club, El Kahir Ladies Auxiliary, and Czech Heritage Foundation. She was a past volunteer for Brucemore, College Growth Fund and Mount Mercy Dollars for Scholars annual fund drives.
Ellen was a devoted mother willing to sacrifice for her family. Spending time with her grandchildren gave her great pleasure. She never let an opportunity for kindness and consideration slip by. Over a period of years, she made beautiful wool braided rugs. Her great passion for gardening and her energy, enthusiasm and love of nature, the environment and the out of doors were contagious. She grew flowers and she shared flowers. Ellen was often heard to say, “A good friend and neighbor are the greatest treasure a person can possess.” She will be greatly missed by her family and friends whose lives she touched and loved.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph W. and Hermina (Unzeitig) Trejtnar; husband, Harold O. Skripsky; sister, Marianne Klinsky; brother-in-law, Joseph Klinsky, and daughter-in-law, Beverly Skripsky.
Survivors include her son, Harold D. Skripsky; daughters, Sandi (Glenn) Pratt and Peggy (Bob) Gleason; grandchildren, Kristin Wasson, Justin Wasson, Kelly Hurter, Matthew Skripsky, and Misti Rakowitz; great-grandchildren, Dexter and Amelia Wasson, Lincoln, Oscar and Elsie Hurter, Ace and Lyla Skripsky, Coby and Abby Rakowitz.
Ellen’s family would like to thank Dr. Chirantan Ghosh, Dr. Keith Kopec, and Hospice of Mercy for their wonderful care of Ellen.
Ellen requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Charitable Foundation or I.S.U. Linn County Master Gardener Program.
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