Anna Johanna Onken, 87, of Albert Lea, formerly of Wilmont, passed away on July 27, 2008, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 24, 1920, near Sibley, Iowa, to parents, Hayoung and Christina (Trample) Meinders. She attended country school near Rushmore through the eighth grade and received her high school diploma in 1977 by studying through the mail.
Ann was united in marriage to K.G. (Dutch/Doc) Onken on Sept. 12, 1943, in Rushmore. He was her one true love. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Wilmont where Dr. Onken was a veterinarian for the area. Dr. Onken passed away in 1967. Ann continued to live in Wilmont after his death. She worked at the Nobles County Court House, Andy’s Bookstore, and Fauskee’s Nursing Home in Worthington, until her retirement at age 65. Ann moved to Oak Park Place, an assisted living residence in Albert Lea, in October of 2001.
Ann was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmont serving as a Sunday school teacher, church treasurer and also a member of the Ladies Aid. Ann dearly loved her family and friends; she especially enjoyed family fishing trips, playing cards, and many, many celebrations with her children, grandchildren, and extended family. We could always count on Mom to drive the blue Granada to wherever the party was!
Ann is survived by her children Linda ( Jim) Balk, Albert Lea; Pat (Daryl) Bell, Hopkins; Davis (Karen) Onken, Inver Grove Heights; and Doug (LeAnn) Onken, Inver Grove Heights; 12 grandchildren, Debbie, Becky, Joe, Mike (Linda), Catie, Cory, Christopher Joseph, Chelsea, Cali (Doug), Rachel, Andrew (Davis), and Megan (Pat); nine great-grandchildren, Ethan, Talitha, Tyler, Mikayla, Ellie, Garrett, Owen, Olivia, and Amelia. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley (Al) Kruse of Worthington.
She was preceded in death by her parents; loving and devoted husband, Doc; two sisters, Bernadene (Marlis) Johnson and Irene (Arnold) Weinrank; two brothers, Henry (Sharlene) Meinders and Marvin Meinders; three grandsons, Peter, Matthew and Christopher William.
Visitation was Thursday, July 31, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 1, from 9:30 to 10:3 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmont. The service was Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmont with the Rev. Ken Honius officiating. Burial was in the Summit Lake Cemetery, rural Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmont. Dingmann Funeral Home, Wilmont was in charge of arrangements.
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