Cindy G. Idelkope

Idelkope, Cindy G. Aged 69, passed away peacefully July 18, 2020, at her home with her immediate family nearby. Cindy was born on January 13, 1951, to Rose and Al Orenstein in Minneapolis. Her early days were spent in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood with her brothers, Jim (Claire) and Phil (Paula), and sister, Paula (Mike). She graduated from Minneapolis West High in 1969 and matriculated from the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor's in Social Work which she put to excellent use in the medical field at Clinic 42 and later as an elementary school social worker at Minnewashta Elementary in Minnetonka, MN, where she was affectionately known as "The Jolly Rancher Lady." After retiring several years ago she spent time volunteering at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital (Amplatz) and traveling the globe with family and friends. She spent 46 great years married to her husband, Dr. Bruce Idelkope, moving from Minnesota to St. Louis and back to Minneapolis, where they teamed up to build a home out of a house in Linden Hills. Cindy was a woman of genuine integrity, honesty, and kindness with a chocolatier's refined sweet tooth. A devoted, unwavering mother to her three boys, Brian (Marie), Alex (Daphne) and Bradley (Abby), and doting grandmother to Nathan, Sam, Eli, Lucy, and Evie, she never missed her morning Jane Fonda's workout and accompanying swim. She was apt to be spotted riding her bicycle all over the Twin Cities to hit tennis balls with her countless friends and loved ones. She had a unique ability to make and keep lifelong friends in every decade of her life, all of whom will feel the heavy loss only a person of Cindy's significance could leave. Many thanks from her family to her physicians, Dr. Jay Liston and Dr. Eric Weinshel, for their excellent, timely, and compassionate care. Thanks as well to the staff of Fairview Southdale Hospital and Fairview Home Care and Hospice. A private ceremony will be held for her immediate family with a larger gathering at a later date when crowds can be safely accommodated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Animal Humane Society (animalhumanesociety.org/), Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis (jfcsmpls.org/donate/), or your local food shelf.

Published on July 22, 2020

https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000362638/?fullname=cindy-g-idelkope