Frances Mary Ihrke

Winona, MN Frances M. Ihrke, 86, formerly of Lewiston, MN, died Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at St. Anne's of Winona. Frances was born on November 20, 1921 to Frank and Mary (Wegman) Mueller in Oakridge. She graduated from St. Charles High School and attended Teacher's training in Winona. She taught country school in rural southeastern Minnesota. On October 25, 1944 Frances married Ellsworth Ihrke in St. Charles. They moved to Great Falls, MT until he was discharged from the Army. They settled in the Fremont - Lewiston area until moving to Altura for a short time. They moved to Lewiston in 1972 until Frances moved to Winona in 1998. Ellsworth passed away in December 1986. Frances took loving care of her husband for 25 years. She was very active in her community and at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was a 4H Leader, a member of the Lions Club, Legion Auxiliary, Fremont Sunshine Club, Catholic Daughters, Ladies Circle and was a religious education teacher for many years. Frances' crowning moment was being named Queen of Winona County in 2007. She was fortunate to travel many corners of the world and was an avid card player. She will be dearly missed. Survivors include 9 children, Tom (Darlene) of Coon Rapids, MN; Jim (Mary Lou) of Bismark, ND; Steve (Pat) of Chicago, IL; Karen (Gary) Moger of Winona, MN; Larry of Golden Valley, MN; Keith (Dora) of Anchorage, AK; Paul (Sandy) of Lewiston, MN; Mary (Bob) Nakaki of Stockton, CA; and Joe (Angel) of Phoenix, AZ, 31 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother Jerry (Vonnie) Mueller of Faribault, MN; sister Barb (Chuck) McGuire of LaCrescent, MN; daughter-in-law Fumiyo Hibino-Ihrke; and several nieces and nephews. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ellsworth; son John; daughter Carol; four brothers, Robert, Bernard, Donald, and Tom Mueller; and granddaughter Anne Marie. The Funeral Mass for Frances will be held at 10:30AM Monday, October 13, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Marreddy Pothireddy and Reverend James Hennessy co-officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2-6pm at the church on Sunday, October 12 with a Rosary Service at 4:00pm and also one hour prior to the service on Monday. Pallbearers are Michael, James, Matt, Bill, Alan and Aaron Ihrke, Daniel Moger, and Adam Nakaki. Please feel free to share a memory of Frances with her family, sign the on-line guestbook, and view her Video Tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/35224