Vincenta (Marchese) Milenkovich was born December 1, 1937, in Hoquiam, Washington. She ended her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease with her family by her side on July 18, 2024 in Granger, Iowa, age 86.
Vincenta was raised in an Italian-American family. She attended St. Mary Catholic School in Hoquiam, then graduated from Hoquiam High School, and went on to attend Western Washington University in Bellingham, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She began her career as an educator at A J West Elementary School in Aberdeen.
In 1962, Vincenta married Velko Milenkovich and had her daughter Anna Marie. Vincenta and Anna Marie were an inseparable duo. They spent hours in the car commuting from their home in Ocean Shores to work and school in Aberdeen. They enjoyed shopping, cooking Italian food, baking, and watching “Wheel of Fortune.” The consummate teacher, Vincenta’s daughter recalls that once her mom taught her how to spell the months of the year in preparation for a big test during their commute.
In 1972, the Milenkovich family moved to San Carlos, Mexico and then six years later they relocated to Tucson, Arizona. Vincenta resided in Tucson for eight years until her return to Hoquiam in 1986. She obtained a master’s degree in education from Portland State University shortly after her return to the region.
Vincenta, better known as Mrs. Milenkovich by her students, taught fourth grade at Washington Elementary School from 1986 until her retirement in 2001. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Poulsbo. It was during this time that she served as the secretary for the Kitsap Regional Library and as a member of the Poulsbo Sons of Norway. Vincenta relocated to Iowa in 2017 to be near her beloved daughter and family.
Vincenta was known by many as a gardener, a chef, a detailed dinner party hostess, and an overall class act. She was kind, gracious, and reserved. She always expressed love and optimism, and was never critical or unkind. It is this classiness that her family and friends will miss most about her presence. Even in her later years, Vincenta always exuded an elegance and grace.
Vincenta was preceded in death by her parents Guiseppe and Maria Rosario (Baldari) Marchese, sister Mary Wambolt, and brother-in-law Ken Wambolt. Vincenta is survived by her daughter Anna Marie and son-in-law Gary Udorvich, granddaughters Nicole (Robert) Udorvich, Natasha Rasic, Alexandra (Mike) Udorvich, five great-grandchildren, Ethan, Lillian, Evan, Darwin, and Jade, her sister Josey Webster, nieces Terri (Wambolt) Vint and Gina (Wambolt) Luraschi, numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, and her dear lifelong friend Adrean Pelczar Harris.
Since there is no formal service and no flowers, we encourage that if you are so moved to make a donation, please do so to the Alzheimer’s Association in Vincenta Milenkovich’s name.
