Jeannette Trisler McKim

Jeannette packed an incredible amount of living into her 102 years. All who were lucky enough to know her learned a great deal from her, not in the lessons-and-lectures kind of way — this is not her style — but in the joyous, feisty, peppy way she lived her life. She was an incredible, award-winning quilter, kept a VERY full weekly calendar – always displayed on her kitchen hutch, attended Ms. Shirley Lyster’s literature class at the library well into her 90’s, loved sushi, dominated the daily crossword puzzle, and skinny dipped in Lake Michigan with her Beaver Island quilting friends who coined themselves “mermaids.” She volunteered at the polls because she believed in democracy, made mean cherry and rhubarb pies, had a messy dining room table and made no apologies for it, volunteered at Planned Parenthood – one year being the volunteer with the most hours at the entire clinic – and rocked her wrist full of artist-made silver and bead bracelets all the way to the end. She loved to travel and kept detailed journals about her trips to Australia and Europe. She had a mischievous side, and was known to belly laugh until she cried at something that tickled her and get everyone else in the room laugh-crying with her. As a parent and a grandparent, she always encouraged us, but never cornered us with her expectations. She was curious, creative, accepting, enthusiastic, and thoughtful. She showed us strength and courage, joy and curiosity, fun and hard work, and love. Mostly love.

Jeannette is survived by her children, Cindy Trisler (Rodney Bowling), Marcy Trisler (Jim Hawkins), and Alan Trisler (Kristin Bucklew); grandchildren Chris Ort (Christina), Laura Ort Seib (Daniel), Harlan Ryerson, Lindsay Hawkins (Andy Snyder), and Kye Hawkins (Ryan Heffernan); and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles “Shorty” Trisler; her second husband Dawson McKim; and a son, Bob Trisler.

Jeannette was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Columbus, where she sang in the choir for over 60 years. The church was her extended family.

Jeannette was born and raised in Bartholomew County in the Azalia area, the youngest of four children born to John R. and Pearl (Williams) Walter, who were both co-ministers of the Azalia and Sandcreek Friends (Quaker) churches. When she was only two, her mother died, leaving her to be lovingly cared for by her father and older siblings on their small farm. She grew up knowing what it was like to be poor in money, but rich with love. Times were tough. She often talked about how she and her siblings raised strawberries to pick and sell by the roadside during the Depression.

She was a true artist with any kind of needle and thread, creating one of a kind clothing for her family (rarely for herself), not only out of necessity because money was tight, but because she enjoyed the challenge. She had a flair for original fashion. Compliments were inevitably received along with the question “Where can I buy that?” The answer was always, “You can’t, my mother made it.” She was known for staying up long past midnight to complete an outfit that had to be worn the next day, but especially on Christmas Eve. We all remember drifting off to sleep while the whir of her sewing machine continued long into the night. Of course, there were many times that a package was unwrapped on Christmas morning to reveal fabric and a pattern with her handwritten note: “To be completed, Love, Mom.”

Jeannette expressed herself through many different mediums – sewing, rug hooking, writing, and painting. But once she began quilting, she simply could not stop; it became her passion. She created countless quilts, both small and large. She won many awards for her quilts at quilt shows, but also at the Bartholomew County 4H Fair where she won Grand Prize. She was especially known for her applique technique. She was a member of Columbus Star Quilt Guild. She attended an annual week-long quilt artist’s retreat in Michigan for over 20 years, where she inspired and was inspired by other quilt artists, whose friendships continued to sustain her.

There is an African proverb that says “when an elder dies, a library is burned down.” Jeannette’s library was vast. Her legacy to all is leaving a grand example of a life well lived.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3300 Fairlawn Dr., Columbus, IN 47203.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to First Baptist Church.

Please leave a fond memory of Jeannette at www.Myers-Reed.com.

Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Trisler McKim family.