Phyllis Trentadue

January 17, 1927 - April 08, 2025

Obituary

Phyllis Elaine Burnell Trentadue, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Born on January 17, 1927, Phyllis spent her last years in Wisconsin where she had fond memories from her childhood in the north woods.

Phyllis was a tenacious soul who wasn't afraid to take risks and do the work. From a cabin in the woods of Wisconsin, to big city life in Las Vegas, to building something from nothing in rural Oregon, steeped in family in the Chicago area, and finally, quiet comfort in Wisconsin, she dug in and made it all into a home.

She joins her husband, Ralph Trentadue, at rest, as well as her daughter, Ginger Martin, and son, James McMaster. Her surviving three daughters and two sons, along with their loved ones, and scores of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, will carry memories of her.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery, 1 Speedway Rd, Madison.

Events

Graveside Service

Thu Apr 17, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST

Forest Hill Cemetery • 1 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI 53705

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Tim

Family • 8 months ago

I was just thinking about the dead wood days. Early days- crazy dreamers grandma and grandpa were. I was young, but old enough to recognize it was a crazy dream. I remember the alder log truss rabbit barn with its piles of stinky poo. To me, Gramma was a true pioneer- forging a life from nothing. Willing to take a risk and work hard - to chase a dream. Those memories I have from deadwood probably are my most vivid - the main (and almost only real) connection I have with her. It was an amazing adventure- the creek and the crawdads, and crazy cousins, rugged costal rain forest, dreams, Angela’s little cow, the tired single wide trailer, and mud and sweat, and then in the end a beautiful estate. Yeah grandma was someone I admired for her grit and determination, not afraid to put in the work to build her dreams.