Francis "Frank" Jerome Wilkus

The memorial Mass for Francis "Frank" Wilkus will be at 11:30AM, Thursday, January 9, 2014 in the Madonna Towers Chapel, Rochester, co-officiated by the Reverends James Russell and Joseph Fogal and assisted by the Reverend Bob Berglund. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM and continue until the time of the Mass.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 92.

Mr. Wilkus, 90, of Rochester, died peacefully surrounded by family, on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at St. Marys Hospital.

Frank was born on April 20, 1923 to Anthony and Edna (Johnson) Wilkus in Saint Paul, MN. He graduated from Washington High School in Saint Paul in 1941, and then entered the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1941 – 1945. Frank was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded at Tarawa in 1943 during WWII.

On May 4, 1946 Frank married Theresa (Tree) Borsch in Saint Paul.  Tree passed away on January 12, 2010.

In 1949, Frank graduated from the College of St. Thomas in Saint Paul and then went on to graduate from the Saint Paul College of Law in 1952.  He held positions as a bank auditor at 1 ^st Grand Avenue State Bank in Saint Paul and auditor/office manager for the Minnesota Department of Taxation before moving his family to Rochester 1956, where he became the first Administrator to the Olmsted Medical Group.  Frank retired in 1985 to Sun City Arizona for 18 years with his wife Tree.

Frank served three terms on the Rochester City Council beginning on March 11, 1958.  He was a member of the Common Council in 1958 winning by a "flip of coin" and was also on the Park Board for 23 years.  He received the "Citizen Board Member Award" in 1989.

Frank is survived by one son, Jim (Susan) Wilkus of Underwood MN; three daughters, Mary Lynn (Robert) Corning of Pardeeville, WI, Louann (Darwin) Fieck of Millville, MN and Annette (Scott Duenow) Wilkus of Maplewood NJ; three grandchildren, Andy Wilkus, Michael Corning and Joseph (Megan) Fieck, two step-grandchildren; Ellen and Spencer Ferry; one sister, Patricia (John) Floeder, one brother-in-law; Joseph Steinworth and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tree, two sons; Paul and Mark, and two brothers, John Wilkus and George Wilkus.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.