Mary Wittkop

Mary T. Wittkop, age 102 of Freeport, died peacefully with family at her side on Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Thursday at the church in Freeport.

Mary Therese Wittkop was born November 15, 1909 in Albany Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Henry and Anna (Knebel) Wittkop. At the age of 17, Mary began working for Dr. Mahowald in Albany taking care of his family. He proceeded to move to the Twin Cities, practicing at The General Hospital, where Mary then followed. Eventually she too worked at the hospital as a waitress for nine years. In 1945, she moved to Los Angeles, California where she worked at Eldon Industries as an inspector; now owned by Rubbermaid. On April 18, 1975 she retired and moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her family. She lived with her sister Hildegard in St. Cloud until 1988. After Hildegard passed away in 1987, she moved to Freeport and lived with her sister, Veronica until 2003. Since then, Mary resided at Park View Apartments in Melrose, eventually moving into Pine Villa Nursing Home in 2009.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport and an honorary member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mary enjoyed crocheting, tatting, traveling, and gambling at casinos. She was an avid walker and remained active on her own until the age of 100.

Survivors include her great-niece and caregiver, Joyce Terwey of Melrose; 20 nieces and nephews; 64 great-nieces and great-nephews; and her 103 year old cousin, Tillie McKinney of Albany.

Mary now joins her parents, Henry and Anna Wittkop; sisters and brother, Frances Zimmermann, Frank Wittkop, Christine Finken, Veronica Finken, and Hildegard Wittkop.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ralph Zimmermann, Larry Zimmermann, Kenneth Zimmermann, Robert Wittkop, Ronald Finken, and David Finken. Honorary bearer will be Mary Jane Duevel. Cross bearers will be Alice Klasen and Brandon Funk and scripture bearer will be Joyce Terwey. Gift bearers will be Marge Engelmeyer, Rosie Rohe, and Mary Jane Duevel. Reader and Eucharistic Minister will be Mary Barbara Goebel. Eulogy will be by Linda Finken.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart School in Freeport.