Alma Marie Toczek was born at home in Mahnomen County on March 28, 1926, the daughter of Valentine and Antonia (Swansarah) Toczek. She attended country school near her home in Rosedale Township. Following her schooling, Alma was united in marriage to Edmund Wolbeck in 1944. The couple made their home together near Mahnomen and were blessed with two children. Over the years, Alma worked at the Red Apple Café, Schermerhorn Farm, and as a cook at the Twin Valley Nursing Home for nearly 20 years. Edmund died in 1977.
On November 30, 1985, Alma married Henry McMillan and they moved to Henry's family farm, only 1½ miles west of where she had been living. In their retirement years, Hank and Alma enjoyed traveling to places which included Alaska, Pennsylvania, California and Mexico. They also shared the knack for woodworking, especially making birdhouses and eagles. Lots of fun was had when they got together for card parties and played Whist. Alma could often be found outside taking care of her lawn or tending to her garden. She also liked to embroider when time allowed. The past several years, Alma's time has been given to raising her great-grandson, Bradan. He was a very special part of her life and she played an active role in his day to day activities. Together they shared a unique bond and did many many things together. In 2003, Hank died and Alma and Bradan continued to live on the farm. Last November, she was diagnosed with cancer and died peacefully at home under Hospice Care of the Red River Valley on Friday, September 17, 2010 at the age of 84.
Alma is survived by a daughter, Marie (Ken) Lingle of Levittown, PA; three grandchildren: Sally Sturz, Alison Wolbeck and Heather Varnado; three great-grandchildren: Bradan Wolbeck, Nicholas Sturz and Emily Sturz; many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Karen Spencer of Waubun, MN. She is also survived by neighbors and exceptionally special people, the Buschette Family. Alma was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands and one son, John Wolbeck.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 11 am at Circles of Faith United Church of Christ in Waubun, MN.
A time of gathering will take place one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.