Cecilia "Cec" Trnka, age 88, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Cecilia Carol Chromy was born September 12, 1923, at home to John and Anna (Lovin) Chromy in Waubun, MN. She attended school in Mahnomen and graduated with the class of 1942. On November 4, 1946, Cecilia was united in marriage to Marvin Trnka at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. The couple made their home and raised their family on Marvin's family farm. Together they were named the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Couple of the year. As well as helping Marvin with the farming, Cec took care of the family and managed the Dairy Bar Cafe, a job she loved! She later worked at the Mahnomen Nursing Home for several years, followed by volunteering as a Foster Grandparent at St. Michael's Catholic School. After 31 years of farming, in 1977, Marvin and Cec moved to town and continued to make their home together until Marvin's death in December of 2009. She remained in their home until her recent illness.

Faith was an important and evident part in Cec's day to day routine, it was her way of living. She was devout member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and had a passion about the children and well being of St. Michael's School. For many years, Cec volunteered at the school and even had plans of returning this fall when the students did. She also held memberships with the St. Joseph's Christian Mothers and the National Catholic Society of Foresters. Next to her faith was family. Cec loved to get together with family, whether it was for a holiday gathering, reunion, camping trip or simply to visit. When she wasn't spending time with family, Cec could be found baking bread, reading, watching and feeding the birds or tending to her garden and many flower beds. She loved being outdoors and the simple beauty of all God's creations. She will be greatly missed by all the hearts she touched over the years.

Cec is survived by three sons: Douglas (Deborah), Annandale, MN, Tim (Joan), Galesburg, ND, and Jeffrey (Susan) West Fargo, ND; three daughters: Shirley Sweep, Mahnomen, Yvonne Johs, Fargo, ND, and Jodi Erickson, Park Rapids, MN; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one sister, Rose Chromy, Guerneville, CA, and special companion Wally Schoenborn, Mahnomen.

In addition to her husband, Cec was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Ben Trnka, Jr. and 14 siblings.

A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, July 30, 2012 at 10 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN, led by Father Rick Lambert. Diane Spaeth will be the organist and Duane and Bonnie Neumann will serve as cantors. Providing special music will be Cec's grandchildren: Juliet Trnka, Seri Erickson and Levi Erickson and nephew, Joe Kezar.

A time of gathering will be held Sunday, July 29, 2012 from 2-4 pm with a rosary at 2 pm at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN.

Burial will be in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Waubun, MN.