Wilma Korkowski

Wilma Lucille (Zierman) Korkowski was born on January 26, 1929 on the family farm outside Cushing, MN, the daughter of William and Martha (Johanson) Zierman. She enjoyed her childhood on the farm with the Zierman and Johanson families, and attended a country school that they walked through the meadows and woods to get to.  She moved to Minneapolis and worked in a dress factory before being united in marriage to Walter Joseph Korkowski on June 21, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria, MN. Together they had 7 children: Donna, Gary, Barb, Mary, Doug, Pete, and Mike. Walt and Wilma raised their children in Alexandria and were active members of their community and church.  She believed being a mother was her greatest accomplishment and was very proud of her family. Wilma faced the challenges of life with courage, faith, and optimism.  As a busy homemaker, Wilma sewed, gardened, canned, and baked for her growing family. She volunteered in Scout leadership for both her daughters and her sons. In later years she quilted, made ceramics, painted, and enjoyed learning. Wilma completed her GED and learned to use computers at the Senior Center. She was a great communicator through her letters to family and friends, and was always interested in learning more about others through phone conversations. Wilma was also curious about the natural world and learned about it through reading or travel.  She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and a lifetime member of the VFW Post #936 Auxiliary in Alexandria.

Wilma passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the age of 89 at St. Therese in New Hope, MN, which had been her home since 2011.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Walter Korkowski; her parents; brothers, Frank, Oscar, and Art; sister, Florence; daughter, Donna Marie Drexler; and grandson, Kristopher Korkowski.

Wilma is survived by sons, Gary (special friend Robin Peterson) of Menomonie, WI, Doug (Linda) of Alexandria, MN, Pete (Sue) of Lino Lakes, MN, Mike (Willen) of Maple Grove, MN; daughters, Barb (Karl) Sitterle of San Jose, CA, Mary (Scott) Schoeler of Milton, WI; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Alice, Irene, and Jane; brothers, Leonard, Vernon (Norma), and Walter (Suzanne); sister-in-law, Donna, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 4-7PM at the Anderson Funeral Home, 659 Voyager Dr. NW in Alexandria, with Prayer Service beginning at 4PM and a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 420 Irving St. in Alexandria, with visitation from 9AM-10AM at the church. Memorials are preferred to the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).