Obit: Ponko, Ora M. (1916 - 2007)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Ponko, Schwartzkopf, Ranke, Petran, Clark, Reinke, Schumacher, Twaroski, Stolarczyk

---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln Co., Wis.) Wednesday, 12 Sept. 2007; Page 10

---Ponko, Ora M. (3 Oct. 1916 - 8 Sept. 2007)

Ora M. Ponko

Ora M. Ponko, 90, of Merrill, died peacefully Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, and surrounded by her loving family.

Ora was born Oct. 3, 1916, in Norrie, daughter of the late Roman and Anna Schwartzkopf Ranke. On Nov.1, 1941, she married Reuben H. Ponko in Wausau. He preceded her in death on June 24, 1978. Ora and Reuben had been residents of Merrill since 1956.

Ora was a homemaker and babysat for many children in her Merrill neighborhood. She loved children, and enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and spending time with her family . She especially enjoyed her grandchildren who visited often during their summer vacations. Ora was very proud of her family. She loved sharing her knitting, baking and canning skills with others.

Survivors include her son William (Kathleen), South Bend, Ind.; daughters Ruth Ann (Robert) Petran, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Rosalyn Ponko, Merrill; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Ponko, Santa Barbara, Calif.; and grandchildren Billy Ponko, Birmingham, Ala.; Sarah Ponko, Denver, Colo.; Amanda Petran, Rochester, N.Y.; and Russell Petran, Ann Arbor, Mich. Besides her husband Reuben, Ora was preceded in death by son Michael; and brothers and sisters Lena Clark, Edward and Arnold Reinke, Celia Schumacher, Hilda Twaroski, and Herbert, Harold and Carl Ranke.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. R. Brian Stolarczyk officiated. Burial was in Norrie Hillcrest Cemetery, town of Norrie, Marathon County. The Taylor & Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, served the family. In lieu of flowers, the Ponko Family has requested that memorials be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill.

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