Obituary of Jean Kettler Triumpho

Mrs. Jean Kettler Triumpho, 88, formerly of Cliff St., Canajoharie passed away at the home of her son on Donato Rd., Canajoharie where she has been a resident. Jean was born at 116 Walnut Street, Canajoharie, NY on June 17, 1917 the daughter of Frederick and Eunice Klinkhart Kettler. She was educated at Canajoharie Public Schools, graduating in 1935. She then furthered her education at Potsdam Normal School, which was then a three-year teachers? course, graduating in 1939. She was an active member of the Agonian Sorority at the school and in 1939, her senior year, she was honored Winter Carnival Queen at Clarkson College. Jean taught school in Palatine Bridge from 1939 until she volunteered to join the American Red Cross in the early part of World War II in 1942. She was trained and worked in Washington, DC, ARC Headquarters. In 1943 she went to England and worked as an ARC staff assistant in the American Red Cross Clubs that were established in Cambridge, Granthan, Lincoln and Derby, entertaining troops. In 1944 she transferred to Clubmobile to entertain troops on the continent and on the field of combat, not far behind the front lines. She was assigned to 15th Corps of Patton?s Third Army. It was in eastern France at Luneville in the fall of 1944 that she met her future husband, the then Lieutenant A. Franklin Tony Triumpho who had brought a truckload of men from the front lines for showers, coffee and donuts, to talk to an American girl and write a letter home. They were not to meet again until after the war. Jean married Tony on June 22, 1946 and has lived in Canajoharie ever since where her husband operated the Triumpho Agency?insurance, real estate and investments. Mrs. Triumpho was active in the community, being a member of the Monday Evening Club, Canajoharie Country Club, and Antlers Country Club. She was also a member of the St. John?s and St. Mark?s Lutheran Church in Canajoharie. She and her husband have traveled extensively on insurance conferences, annual trips to England and Scotland for the British Open Golf Tournament and more than a dozen trips around the world, visiting every continent many times and attending the Normandy and VE Celebrations in Europe. Survivors include a son, Timothy Triumpho and his wife Ruth of Canajoharie; one brother, Jack Kettler of Fairfax, VA; three granddaughters, Jeannie Rush of Palatine Bridge, Angelene Dillenbeck and Antonia Triumpho-O?Brian of Warnerville, NY; four step grandsons, Chester Dillenbeck Jr. of Salisbury, NY, George Dillenbeck of Gloversville, and Russell and David Dillenbeck of Canajoharie; five great grandchildren, Tangen Rush of Palatine Bridge, Amber, Trudy, and Russell Dillenbeck Jr. of Canajoharie, Joey O?Brian of Warnerville, NY; four step great grandchildren, Marie and Samantha Dillenbeck of Salisbury, NY, Jacob Dillenbeck of Canajoharie, and Shiann Dillenbeck of Gloversville. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego St., Canajoharie with the Rev. Gail Wolling officiating. Burial will take place in the Canajoharie Falls Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday from 12 noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. At the family?s request in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jean?s memory to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078.