Pauline Blaskowski

Pauline T. Blaskowski, age 98, of Winona, passed away on October 11, 2018, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in  Winona, MN.

Pauline was born on June 1, 1920, in New Albin, Iowa, to George and Elizabeth (Wall) Hammell.  She was united in marriage with Ernest Blaskowski on January 4, 1949, in New Albin.  Ernest preceded her in death on February 25, 1988, at the young age of 70.

She was employed as a teacher in Allamakee County, her home school, for the first year of teaching. For the next 2 years, she taught at Gruber Ridge country school. Pauline’s 4th year of teaching was at Smithfield School near Luana, Iowa.  The following 2 years, Pauline taught at the French Creek country school, closer to home.  Pauline’s last year of teaching was at Dorchester country school in Dorchester, Iowa with her sister Esther.  This country school had 8 grades, which were split up between the two.  Esther had 5th – 8th grade and Pauline had 1st – 4th grade.  When Esther left to go back home to work on the farm, Pauline decided it was a good time to try something else out.  She went to Secretarial School in Winona, MN, for 9 months.  The Watkins Company hired Pauline in the Accounting Department, where she was employed for the next two years.  While living and working in Winona, she became a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church.  Winona is also where she met Ernest.  They were married and took up farming for the next 23 years. That’s where they raised 11 children.  They farmed in many areas, but Nodine and Wyattville were their best years.  In January of 1972, due to Ernest’s health, they sold the Wyattville farm.  They moved into Lewiston, MN and bought the old drug store.  They started the Lewiston Clothing and Variety Store in the front part of the building.  Pauline and Ernest also ran an upholstery and refinishing shop. While living in Nodine, Pauline and Ernest joined the Catholic Church in Dakota, MN.  Later they joined the Hart Church when they lived near Wyattville, and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church when they moved to Lewiston.

Pauline is lovingly survived by her children: Daniel (Pat) Blaskowski, St. Paul, MN; Cecelia (Michael) Weaver, Kailua, HI; Virginia (Tony) Kujawa, Boyceville, WI; Bernard (Sheila) Blaskowski, Fruitland, IA; Lorraine (Kieth) Evenson, Eustis, FL; Pauline (Michael) Siebenaler, St. Charles, MN; Ernie Blaskowski, Winona, MN; Leo (Barb) Blaskowski, Winona, MN; George Blaskowski, Winona, MN; Frances (Randy) Klug, Cedar Falls, IA; Matthew (Pamela) Blaskowski, Cottage Grove, MN; 36 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; 2 sisters:  Alberta Troendle, Lansing, IA and Esther Walleser, Waukon, IA; 2 brothers:  Larry (Wilma) Hammell , Denver, CO and James (Ila) Hammell, Caledonia, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her siblings: George Hammell, Sister Georgia Hammell, Earl Hammell, and Anna Collins.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home on Sunday, October 21, 2018, from 4 PM until 7 PM, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:45 PM.  Visitation will also be held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Monday, October 22, 2018, from 9 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM.  The Very Reverend Mark C. McNea will officiate, assisted by Pauline’s son-in-law, Deacon Michael Weaver.  Pauline will be laid to rest in the St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Lewiston, MN, following a luncheon at the Cathedral.

Pallbearers will be her 14 grandsons: Ben and Ryan Weaver, Alex Kolodzne, Bernard and George Blaskowski, Brock Evenson, Michael Siebenaler, Lance Blaskowski, Jake Wright, Rocky, Josh and Zach Blaskowski, Randy Klug, Jr and Adam Blaskowski.

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