Mildred "Millie" S. Wachowiak

Mildred S. “Millie” Wachowiak, age 98, of Winona, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Benedictine – St. Anne in Winona. 

She was born on November 14, 1925, in Winona, to Vincent and Sarah Lilla.   She was a graduate of Cathedral High School and the College of St. Teresa, and taught business subjects in Chatfield, MN, Galesville, WI, and later in Manitowoc, WI.

Millie married Stanley Wachowiak on June 18, 1949, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona, and had one daughter, Mary Susan.  Stan started his business career with Lakeside Foods at Plainville, MN.  They lived there for six years, until Stan was transferred to their main office in Manitowoc, WI.

While in Manitowoc, Millie was a member of Holy Innocents Catholic Church, a member of the Daughters of Isabella, served on the board of the Manitowoc Girl Scout Council, and volunteered at Holy Family Hospital.

After Stan’s retirement in 1986, they moved back to their hometown of Winona, where they renewed old friendships and met many new friends.  They reestablished membership at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where she served on the Prayer Line Ministry, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Harvest House, and the Polish Cultural Institute.   Millie also spent many years as a volunteer in the gift shop of the Winona Health Hospital.

Millie enjoyed playing Bridge at Westfield, and she loved doing puzzles, reading, and traveling.  She and Stan travelled all over the world during their retirement years.  Her greatest thrill was living long enough to have a great-grandson at age 90.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws: Leonard and Frances Wachowiak; granddaughter, Jennifer Linak; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Eleanor and Leroy Wahlstrom, Anne and George Schultz, and Teresa and Edward Kleinschmidt; nephews: Bill Schultz and Daniel Kleinschmidt; and a beloved cousin, Dorothy Losinski.

Millie is survived by her daughter, Mary (Michael) Linak; grandson, Matthew Linak; granddaughter, Kathryn (Daniel) Goscha; great-grandson, Jonathan Goscha; many loved nieces and nephews; and close friends whose lives she touched in her many years.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staffs of Callista Court, St. Anne, and Winona Health Hospice.

Memorials may be directed to Callista Court.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Very Reverend Patrick Arens will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Millie’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.