Gertrude J. Witkus

Gertrude Josephine (Marek) Witkus, age 85, died on Monday, April 19, 2021 at Edenbrook Nursing Home in Rochester, Minnesota. She was born March 17, 1936 to Sophie and Walter Marek in Thorp, WI. She went to grade school at Pozen in a 1 room school that had all grades then graduated from the Thorp High School. She married Alex Witkus on January 15, 1955. They lived in Aurora, MN when Alex worked at the taconite plant and then in Menomonie, WI where he farmed. In 1965 they moved to Rochester with the girls. Alex then worked for the Coop Gas Station, Rochester Silo and Hiller's Carpets while mom was the homemaker. After the boys were born, she worked at Seneca, AMPI and family consultation. She enjoyed retirement, watching gameshows, visiting with family and friends, and doing crossword puzzles. She is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Hoopman-Lentz (Darold Sharar) of Rochester and Ann Galbreath of Joplin, MO; sons, James (Kathleen) Witkus, Mark Witkus and fiancé Anna Salinas and Bruce Witkus all of Rochester; grandchildren, Emma Hoopman, Chris, Marshall and Tony Galbreath; and great-grandsons, Andrew and Evan Hoopman and Mason. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alex Witkus who died in 2001; grandson, Jon Hoopman who died in 2014; parents, Walter and Sophie; brother, Tony and sisters, Christine and Frances. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required, and social distancing observed. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Witkus family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com