Francis Wilkowski

Francis C. Wilkowski, age 78, of Perham , MN , died Sunday, July 6, 2008 , at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley .


Francis Conrad Wilkowski was born October 10, 1929 , in Perham Township , south of Perham, the son of John and Angeline (Colby) Wilkowski and was baptized in St. Henry’s Catholic Church. At age four, Francis’ family moved to Evergreen Township , Becker County , where they cleared land and had dairy farm. He attended Oakhill Country School in Spruce Grove Township . Francis went to Holy Cross Church in Butler , MN , where he was confirmed.



On October 16, 1951 , he was united in marriage to Martha Macho of Wadena , MN . They farmed dairy cows on the family farm and there they raised seven children. Francis enjoyed fishing and hunting with his wife and family and playing horseshoes with friends at Wolf Lake Club. He also enjoyed trapping, working hard on the farm, clearing land, milking cows, reading, playing cards, and visiting his neighbors and relatives. Francis was a member of the Redeye Snowmobile Club and OtterTail Rod & Gun Club. He also worked on the Pioneer Grounds and was an active member at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. In 1991, Francis and Martha retired from farming and moved to rural Perham. Together Francis and Martha traveled to Alaska , the Holy Land , the Redwood parks in California , the Grand Canyon , and they fished for salmon in the Pacific Ocean .



Francis will be remembered, and missed, by his wife, Martha; four sons, Steve (Linda), Evergreen, MN; Jess (Sue), Evergreen, MN; Roy (Stacy), Detroit Lakes, MN; and Jeff (Carolyn), Winona, MN; three daughters, Sandy (Dan) Volkmann, Henning, MN; Karen Bernt, MT; and Jean (Mark) Heston, Frazee, MN; sister in law, Olga Wilkowski; twenty-one grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.



Preceding Francis in death are his parents; brother, Phil; infant daughter, Bev; and son in law, Jeremy Bernt.