Evangeline Wilichowski

Evangeline "Vangie" Wilichowski 80, Edgar, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital, Marshfield. She was born January 4, 1928 in the town of Wien, daughter of the late Frank and Rose (Goldbach) Wirkus. On September 29, 1951, she married Clarence Wilichowski at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar. He preceded her in death on October 21, 1998. Vangie was a longtime active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar, the P.C.C.W. and St. Anne's Group. She was a Eucharistic minister at her parish and also to the elderly. For a period of time, Vangie worked for the St. John Catholic School hot lunch program. Among her many interests, she enjoyed dancing, homemaking, gardening, playing cards, reading and traveling, especially her Alaskan adventure. Remembering Vangie are her seven children, Mary (Tony) Lenard, Marathon; Gayle (Bruce) Dahlke, Minneapolis, Minn.; Jane (Wayne) Sessions, Marathon; Pat (Phil) Winkler, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Steve (Sandi) Wilichowski, Westboro, Mass.; Sara (Pat) Heidmann, Edgar; and Julie (Tim) Fergot, Viroqua; 13 grandchildren, Ryan Lenard, Tracy (Dave) Northcott, Corie and Lisa Winkler, Matthew, Amy, Lori and Kristin Wilichowski, Meghan, Jena and Dana Heidmann, Marie and Benny Fergot; two great granddaughters, Alexis and Vanessa Northcott; one sister, Jo Ann Pettinger, Glenview, Ill.; five brothers, Mel Wirkus, Clinton, Wis.; Lawrence (Joan) Wirkus, Jerry (Alvina) Wirkus, Ed (Clara) Wirkus and Philip Wirkus, all of Edgar; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Clarence, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Marge White, Tillie Reed and Bernadine Wirkus; and two brothers, David and George Wirkus. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Robert Streveler will preside. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Edgar. Friends may call Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, Vangie requested memorials be directed to St. John's Parish and School where all seven of her children received their Christian education. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com