Madalyn Palenksy

Madalyn Palensky, 80, Bismarck, formerly of Ketchiken, AK, passed away with grace and dignity on March 19, 2011, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, after a ten-year struggle with cancer and other health problems. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, April 9, at St. Charles Catholic Church, Oakes, ND. Interment will be held at Oakes Cemetery. Madalyn was born October 3, 1930, at Crete, ND, the daughter of Frank and Stella Holecek Palensky. She graduated from Oakes High School in 1948, received her two year teaching certificate in 1950 from State Normal and Industrial College at Ellendale, ND, and graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College now Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught for several years in North Dakota; and after teaching four years in Ketchikan, Alaska, Madalyn taught with the US Air Force in Newfoundland and Japan. She then returned to Ketchikan, AK, and completed more than 33 years of teaching until her retirement in 1989. Madalyn was a member of the Denver Township 4-H Club for ten years, and received many awards, including being chosen to attend 4-H Club Congress in Chicago in 1948. She was a member of the NEA-AK, a 50-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma and also a member of the Red Hats. Madalyn was an active member of the Ketchikan Holy Name Catholic Church and took part in many activities, including being a lay reader. She enjoyed traveling, flying more than 50 times between Ketchikan and North Dakota. She traveled to Southern Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal, and many European countries, including Czechoslovakia her grandparentsï¿½ homeland. She also spent numerous winters in Phoenix, AZ. Madalyn was a member of the Rainy Days Quilters and traveled to out-of-state quilt shows, attended numerous quilt classes, and took part in weekly and monthly quilt groups. She especially enjoyed doing hand quilting and received many blue ribbon awards at local quilt shows. She enjoyed sharing her beautiful hand- quilted articles with family, friends, and charities. Madalyn is survived by her twin sister, Marilyn, Edgeley, ND, sister, Theresa, Peoria, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Darlene. A special thanks to all of Madalynï¿½s doctors, nurses, the Waterford Assisted Living employees, as well as friends and family who assisted her during those difficult years. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Madalyn Palenksy

October 3, 1930 - March 22, 2011