Surnames: Lunka, Klancher, Leasch, Leonard, Ulesich, Tomsich

The Loyal Tribune 01 October 1942

Lunka, Mary #2 (24 MAR 1869 - 22 SEP 1942)

Mrs. Frank Lunka Sr. (nee Mary Klancher) was born in Zerovnica, Jugoslavija, Mar. 24, 1869, and died at St. Joseph’s hospital in Marshfield from several complications which set in.

She grew to womanhood in Jugoslavija and was married in the early spring of 1893 to Frank Lunka in Grahova, where they lived for about six years, after which they moved across the wide sea to St. Carlo, Brazil.

They made their home there for about four more years, after which they moved to Ely, Minn., in the mining district, which was their home until 1910. Then, together with their family, they moved to their recent home at Gorman, located about 4 ½ miles southwest of Willard, which was her home until her death on Sept. 22 at 1:37 p.m. at the age of 73 years.

She was a faithful member of the Catholic church and also belonged to the Altar Society, the Society of Mary of Perpetual Help, K. S. K. J., and also the American Fraternal Union.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, Joseph of Willard and Frank Jr., at home; three daughters, Mrs. Emil (Mary) Leasch of Ashton, S. D., and Mrs. Melvin (Frances) Leonard and Mrs. Joseph (Anna) Ulesich Jr. of Chicago; seven grandchildren; one sister, Frances, Mrs. Frank Tomsich Sr., of Ely, Minn.; 16 nieces and nephews, and one brother, Frank Klancher of Willard.

One brother, Matthew Klancher preceded her in death. Her father, Jacob Klancher, died while she was an infant, while her mother, Mary, died some three years ago at the good old age of 92 in Europe.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 o’clock, with a requiem high mass at the Holy Family church, Willard, and burial was made in the parish cemetery on the family lot in Willard. The Rev. Fr. Raphael Stragisher officiated.

The pall bearers were Joseph Perko Sr., John Lesar, Frank Lesar Sr., Frank Francel Sr., Joseph Morgal and Ludwig Perushek Sr.

The many floral offerings and the kind deeds showed how many friends she had.

Those who carried flowers were Mrs., Frank Volovsek Jr., Mrs. Anthony Kokaly, Miss Anne Champa, Miss Anne Gosar, Miss Pauline Francel, Miss Olga Volarich, Miss Anne Lesar and Miss Agnes Lesar.

Those from away who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Emil Leasch and daughter of Ashton, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Leonard and family and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ulesich Jr. and son of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Petrich of Eveleth, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Indihar of Ely, Minn., and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Francel Jr. of Abbotsford, Wis.

The Society of Mary of Perpetual Help, K.S.K.J., and the Altar Society attended in a body.

The music and the singing were rendered by the church organist, Mrs. Ivan Ruzich, and the choir of the parish.