Lorna M.M. Wilkens, 103, of Waconia
Lorna Mathilda Maria (Kruschke) Wilkens, 103, of Waconia, formerly of Plato, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society in Waconia.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 7, at Friedens County Line United Church of Christ in rural Norwood Young America (NYA), with the Rev. Joseph Clay officiating. Sandy Kroells was the organist. Congregational hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Amazing Grace.”
Honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Michael Franke, Bruce Franke, David Franke, Brett Pinske, Robert Wilkens, Chad Wilkens, Bryan Wilkens, Dean Schwirtz, Terry Schwirtz and Nathan Wilkens.
Interment was in the Ferguson Cemetery in rural NYA.
Lorna Mathilda Marie (Kruschke) Wilkens was born July 11, 1911, in Bergen Township, McLeod County. She was the daughter of Heinrich and Augusta (Machemehl) Kruschke. She was baptized as an infant on July 30, 1911, by the Rev. G.H. Buescher, and confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 5, 1925, by the Rev. J.A. Schert, both at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Bergen Township, rural Lester Prairie.
On Nov. 11, 1935, she was united in marriage to Henry Wilkens by the Rev. J.A. Schert at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Bergen Township, rural Lester Prairie. The couple made their home on a farm in rural Plato until 1981, when they moved to Plato. In February 2007, Mrs. Wilkens made her home at Peace Villa in NYA, then moved to the Good Samaritan Society in Waconia in December 2008.
The couple was blessed with seven children, Myra, Lois, Orville, Vernon, Raymond, Doris and Charles. They shared over 56 years of marriage before Mr. Wilkens’ death on June 13, 1992.
In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Mrs. Wilkens helped her husband on the farm. She was a faithful and active member of Friedens County Line United Church of Christ in rural NYA, where she served on the Ladies Aid.
Mrs. Wilkens enjoyed crocheting, sewing, quilting and gardening. She treasured the time spent with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Myra (Ken) Franke, Orville (Betty) Wilkens, Vernon (Colleen) Wilkens, Doris Schwirtz and Charles (Peggy) Wilkens, all of Plato; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Wilkens of Plato; grandchildren, Michael (Bev) Franke, Bruce Franke, Amy Thomas, David (Danaya) Franke, Nichole Pinske, Brett Pinske, Tracy (Craig) Jackson, Jody (Michelle) Wilkens, Susan Larson, Robert Wilkens, Chad (Natalie) Wilkens, Jennifer (Paul) Heuer, Bryan (Janelle) Wilkens, Dean (Murf) Schwirtz, Terry Schwirtz, Nathan (Stephanie) Wilkens and Amber Wilkens; 24 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Luella Prehn of Lester Prairie and Eldora Miller of Plato; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Heinrich and Augusta Kruschke; husband, Henry Wilkens; daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Charles Pinske; son, Raymond Wilkens; son-in-law, Richard Schwirtz; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Pauline Wilkens; siblings and spouses, Leona and Art Wroge, Harold and Laura Kruschke and Marilyn Mazer; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold Prehn, Willmar Miller, Margaret and Herman Kroppen and Lydia and Theodore Dammann.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe.
