Jerome "Jerry" Edward Truskowski

Apr 22, 1934 -

May 2, 2025

Jerome "Jerry" Edward Truskowski, 91, was born in Sobieski, Wis., and passed away in Auburn, Wash., while in hospice care.

Jerry graduated from Pulaski High School and then earned an Associate of Science degree in electronic engineering from Chicago's DeVry Technical Institute. He served in the Air Force and became a nuclear specialist based at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. During this time he met Faye Kohler, a nursing student at nearby TCU, on a blind date. They married on March 30, 1959, embarking on a 64 year partnership.

He parlayed the skills developed in the Air Force into an eight-year career as an electronic technician at Sandia Laboratory in Albuquerque, N.M., helping to design and test nuclear weapons components and systems. This included producing locking switches for nuclear weapons sent to NATO countries during the Cold War.

Jerry and Faye valued higher education, and took turns going to school for masters' degrees, all while working full-time and raising five children.

In 1978, the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Faye was offered a position as the Director of Nursing at Providence Hospital. As part of the deal, Jerry was offered the position of Patient Accounts Manager. He then went on to work for the Municipality of Anchorage and Municipal Light and Power as a budget office supervisor.

In 1986, Faye and Jerry relocated to Auburn, and Jerry worked in a variety of jobs: budget consultant, real estate agent, pellet stove salesman and as a parking supervisor at Emerald Downs racetrack. If something sounded interesting, he pursued it.

Jerry and Faye loved the Southwest and the Grand Canyon and had some memorable adventures hiking, rafting the Colorado River and exploring Sedona, Ariz. They traveled through Europe together on several Rick Steves tours, and McCarthy, Alaska, was also a favorite place.

Both Jerry and Faye had a strong Catholic faith life, and lived it through countless acts of generosity, including hosting exchange students, teaching catechism classes and helping those in need get a fresh start.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Faye Truskowski; and parents, Edward and Eleanora Truskowski. He is survived by his brothers, Robert (Diane) and Ronald (Dolores); sons, Brett (Kirsten), Brent (Melinda), Michael (Julie) and Joshua; daughter, Kim Bouwkamp (Michael); nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Interment with full military honors will take place on Aug. 6, 2025, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. He will be placed alongside Faye, something that gave him peace during his final weeks. A Celebration of Life will follow.