Geraldine Axtell

Geraldine “Jarka” Axtell, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, cultural pride, and lifelong service to others. 

Born on December 6, 1937 in Milwaukee, Geraldine was known to many as “Jarka,” a name that reflected her deep connection to her Czech heritage—a culture she cherished and actively celebrated throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Milwaukee with a degree in education and dedicated herself not only to teaching, but to helping others in meaningful and lasting ways. 

Jarka was deeply involved in her community, especially within Czech cultural organizations. She participated in Sokol, the Milwaukee Folk Fair, and numerous Czech gatherings, where she shared her passion for language and tradition. Fluent in Czech, she taught and translated the language and generously served as a translator for those in need—offering her support during hospital stays and legal proceedings, often at critical and vulnerable moments in others’ lives. 

She had a love for travel and embraced opportunities to explore the world, but her greatest joy was always found in time spent with her family and friends. Jarka was also an avid walker, a daily ritual she maintained faithfully for decades, finding peace and strength in her walks until Parkinson’s disease made it no longer possible. 

Jarka is preceded in death by her parents, Adeline and Joseph Macek, and brother Joseph “Pep” Macek, and is survived by her daughter Ann and son-in-law Dan Austin, granddaughter Adeline, son Jan and daughter-in law Vicki Axtell, granddaughter Zoe, sister, Vera Frazier, and many dear and special friends whose lives she touched with her warmth and generosity.

 She will be remembered for her compassion, her unwavering dedication to helping others, her vibrant cultural spirit, and the deep love she had for her family. Her presence will be profoundly missed, but her legacy will live on for all who knew and loved her.

 A Celebration of Life will be held on April 25, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jarka’s beloved church, St. John’s Lutheran.