Obit: Trnka, Arleen Bernice #2 (1913 - 2009)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Trnka, Erickson, Berkey, Kihl, Degenhardt, Naduvathaniyil 
 

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Sunday, 13 Dec. 2009 
 

Trnka, Arleen Bernice (22 Feb. 1913 - 11 Dec. 2009) 
 

Arleen B. Trnka, 96, of Colby and formerly of Loyal, died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. 
 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Loyal. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday. 
 

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements. 
 

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday, 14 Dec. 2009 
 

COLBY -- Arleen B. Trnka, 96, of Colby and formerly of Loyal, died on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield. 
 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Loyal. Fr. Jerome Naduvathaniyil will officiate and burial will follow in St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Trnka, Mike Trnka, Chet Berkey, Ben Berkey, Chris Berkey and Harvey Degenhardt. 
 

Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of service. 
 

Arleen Bernice Erickson was born February 22, 1913, in Racine, the oldest of three children born to Wilhelm and Augusta (Kihl) Erickson. She was raised and received her education in Racine, graduating from Park High School in 1932. Arleen then attended Milwaukee State Teachers College, currently the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she graduated in 1936 with a major in music. 
 

Her first job was at Dorchester High School, where she taught music until becoming the supervisor of vocal music in West Milwaukee Schools from 1939-1940. In 1940, Arleen moved to Loyal, where she taught both music and English at Loyal High School. 
 

Arleen was united in marriage to Dr. Edward M. Trnka on June 20, 1940, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, in Loyal. She was the organist at the church for many years, and also gave private piano and organ lessons. Arleen resided in Loyal until moving to Angelus Retirement Community, now Colby Retirement Community, in November 2000. 
 

She was an independent person, who was outspoken and feisty. She was also very intelligent; you never challenged her unless you were very sure of your facts. 
 

Arleen was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and thoroughly enjoyed her visits with her friends who frequently came to see her. 
 

She is survived by two daughters: Kathryn (Chester) Berkey of Eau Claire, Ruth Trnka of Mosinee; one son: John (Patty) Trnka of Rochester, Minn.; and four grandchildren: Christopher Berkey, Dr. Benjamin Berkey, Jennifer Trnka and Michael Trnka. 
 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward "Doc," on August 1, 1990; one son, Dr. Kenneth Trnka; and two brothers: Russell and Irving Erickson. 
 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 
 

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.