Obituary: Edward Joseph Trzaska

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 6, 2004

1919 ~ 2004

Edward Joseph Trzaska, age 84, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He was born December 18, 1919, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the fourth of the five children of Joseph P. and Frances Langawski Trzaska.

His parents emigrated from Poland, and Eddie remained fluent in Polish and proud of his heritage throughout his life. He was particularly close to his younger sister Helen.

On May 11, 1942, Eddie was inducted into the United States military and during World War II he served in the Army and Air Force. While a serviceman in April of 1943, Eddie attended a USO dance in Salt Lake City where he met a lovely young woman, Elinor Newton. That night was the first of a lifetime of dances together.

Eddie was discharged from the service as a Sergeant in January 1946 and later that year, on August 7th, he and Elinor were married in Salt Lake City by Bishop Gordon C. Young. Exactly 28 years later they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by Bishop Young. They were not blessed with any children, but enjoyed their many friends.

Eddie's life revolved around his dear Elinor. They were known by many as "The Dancing Couple," and Eddie loved to buy her new dancing dresses. In fact, Eddie and Elinor celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary dancing in the Sky Room of the Hotel Utah in the moonlight.

For many years Eddie worked for General Electric as an Inside Salesman, and he enjoyed his years there. One of his special talents was a memory for numbers. Farmers and ranchers from all over the area called him for equipment parts because he knew the order number for every pump part if they could give him the make and year.

Eddie loved bowling in the General Electric bowling league. He also loved golf, watching sports on television and the Jazz. But the real hallmark of Eddie's life, other than his devotion to Elinor, was his kindness and patience to all. He was truly a gentleman, gracious and kind to everyone, from the children he encountered in Japan as a serviceman, to the children in his neighborhood. He was always patient and uncomplaining about his own difficulties and was tireless in the loving care he gave his wife in the years before her death on December 18, 1989.

He much appreciated the kindness of his many friends and the excellent care he received in his last year from all of the staff at Highland Cove.

Eddie was preceded in death by his wife, his brothers Walter, Joseph, and Kazmer, and his sister Helen.

Funeral services will be Sat., May 8th at 1 p.m. in the East Mill Creek Stake Center, 3103 E. 3600 S., Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:45-12:45 at the church, prior to services. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: The Holbrook Mortuary.