- Date Of Birth: July 14, 1977
- Date Of Death: December 4, 2020
- State: Minnesota
Tracy Rae Podpeskar, age 43, a lifelong resident of Virginia passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 4, 2020. She was born on July 14, 1977, in Wausau, Wisconsin, the daughter of Lee and Mary (Jameson) Podpeskar. Of all her many achievements, Tracy’s biggest accomplishment, and the one that she was most proud of was to be the mother of her two amazing daughters, Jordan and Hayden. She bragged about them to all who knew her and loved to share the achievements of her two smart, independent young women.
Tracy was a fun-loving, down-to-earth, loyal, strong and caring person with a fabulous sense of style and an extensive shoe collection. She lit up a room and brought people together with her vivacious and charismatic personality. She was a wonderful and devoted mother, daughter, sister, friend and colleague.
Tracy was a graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High School. Thereafter, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Criminology. Tracy then attended and received her Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law, graduating magna cum laude, all while raising young Jordan as a single parent.
Before, during and after law school Tracy was employed by the Trenti Law Firm in Virginia, working her way up from legal secretary to law student intern, to associate attorney, to partner in the firm in 2012. Tracy practiced family law at the highest level, both as a skilled and zealous litigator for her clients and as a talented and effective mediator. Through her professional life, Tracy gave the world a glimpse of her compassion, fearlessness and dedication helping countless families and children through her work both in the courtroom and in the community.
Even while managing a busy career and raising her daughters, Tracy made time to give back to her community by participating as a mentor with the Upward Bound Mentor Program and serving on the Board of Directors and as Board Chair of the Apple Tree Learning Center. She was a member of the Hope Community Presbyterian Church in Virginia, where she taught Sunday school.
Tracy is survived by her mother: Mary (“Papa Richie”) Podpeskar of Virginia; her daughters: Jordan Skalko and Hayden Skalko, both of Virginia; her brother: Jay Podpeskar of Britt; her uncle and aunt: James (Polly) Podpeskar of Lake Vermilion – Tower; and the father of her children: Justin Skalko of Minneapolis; as well as extended family, and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her father: Lee Podpeskar.
