Mabel Punke

Mabel Punke, 91, Edgar, died Friday, May 2, 2014 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at her home. She was born August 22, 1922 in Edgar, daughter of the late Gustave and Mary (Flegle) Pilgrim. On November 27, 1941 she married Arnold Punke in Edgar. He preceded her in death. In her younger years, Mabel worked together with her husband on the farm raising their children. Later, after her children started to leave home, she worked as a waitress at the Stratford Equity restaurant. She made many friends during that time. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing, watching her birds and gardening, taking special care of her flower gardens. She also was involved in many church activities; including Ladies Aid and the committee for the church's famous Fall Harvest Dinner. Survivors include her children, Joan Christiansen, Dennis Punke, both of Edgar, Judy Zarndt, Verona, Beverly (Doug) Strasser (Witucki), Wausau, Nancy (Alan) Witucki, Athens and Connie (Paul) Astrachan, Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Lori (Roy) Guralski, Sheri (David) Tessmer, Michael (Krystal) Christiansen, Traci (Dean) Pehlke, Nicole (Shaun) Punke, Andrew Punke, Chris (Matt) Rausch, Kathy (Mike Dahmer) Hunter, Brian Witucki, Jeffery Witucki, Daniel (Meli) Witucki, Michele (Dean) Campbell, Tracy (Tim Deppe) Ollerman, Nathan (Kristine) Punke, Matthew Witucki, Kristina (Jeremy) Apfelbeck, Amanda Witucki, Jennifer and Kristin Astrachan; great-grandchildren, Kassidy, Travis and Devin Guralski, Jordon and Chelsee Tessmer, Lillian, Nicholas, Colin and Christian Pehlke, Samuel, James and Johnathan Rausch, Joshua and Alexandrea Witucki, Isabella and Liam Witucki, Carter Campbell, Taylor and Grace Punke and Jase and Kendyl Apfelbeck; two brothers, Elroy "Bud" (Elaine) Pilgrim, Edgar and Glenn (Louise) Pilgrim, Brainard, Minnesota; two sisters-in-law, Esther Pilgrim and Adeline Pilgrim, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Besides her parents and husband, Arnold, she was preceded in death by sisters, Selma Hamann, Mildred Panzigrau-Knutson, Viola Bauman and Elaine Beattie and brothers, Alvin and William Pilgrim. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014 at St. John Lutheran Church, W1145 Huckleberry Road, Edgar. Rev. Jeffrey Lambrecht will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Mabel's three care givers and the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com