Obituaries for April 7, 2002

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 6, 2002

Austin Daily Herald

Mary Ann Trom, 99

Mary Ann Trom, 99, of Blooming Prairie, died Thursday, April 4, 2002, at the Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie, Minn.

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She was born September 1, 1902, in Steele County, Minn., the daughter of John and Mary (Benes) Motl.

She received her education in country school near Blooming Prairie.

After completing her education, Mary worked as a waitress in the local bakery.

On August 29, 1923, she was united in marriage to Alvin Trom in Owatonna.

After their marriage, the couple lived in the Blooming Prairie area, where Mary worked as a waitress and cook in local restaurants, including the Cozy Inn.

Alvin died in 1963 and after his death, Mary continued to live in the Blooming Prairie area, moving to Prairie Manor Nursing Home in 1993.

She enjoyed gardening and crocheting and was a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church.

Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Don and Harriet Trom of Owatonna; son, Gordon Trom and his friend, Phyllis Buzzard of Austin; son-in-law, Darrell Juhnke of Miltona; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Joanne Juhnke, four brothers, John, Frank, Edward and Joe Motl and two daughters-in-law, Josephine Trom and Marjorie Trom.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m.,

Monday, April 8, 2002 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A Ladies Rosary will be held at 4 p.m., Monday and a Parish Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. both at the funeral home.

Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church with Father Richard Dernek officiating.

Interment: Blooming Prairie Cemetery

Funeral Home: Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, Blooming Prairie.

Memorials: To the Prairie Manor Nursing Home.

Douglas Paul Wilke, 59

Douglas Paul Wilke, 59, of Austin died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at Rochester Methodist Hospital.

He was born Jan. 20, 1943, to Paul and Frances (Gilbertson) Wilke in Blooming Prairie.

He attended Austin High School. He served in the Army in Germany from 1960 until 1963. Returning to Austin, he worked at Wilson's and Schweigert Foods in Albert Lea.

On July 20, 1974, he married Marian Ferguson in Austin.

A member of the Eagles Club, Doug also enjoyed pre-1840s rendezvous, working on cars, camping and fishing.

Survivors include wife, Marian Wilke, Austin; brothers, Richard (Linda) Wilke, Fort Madison, Iowa; Jeff (Cindy) Wilke, Albert Lea; sisters, Dorene Wilke, San Diego, Calif.; Janice (David) Williams, Burnsville; Lori Brody, Austin; brother-in-law, Tebbe DeBoer, Dundas; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Wilke; and sister, Sharene Fay DeBoer.

Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2002, at the funeral home and one hour before the service on Monday. Military rites by VFW Post 1216 and American Legion Post 91.

Service: 11 a.m., Monday, at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Kahl officiating.

Funeral Home: Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.