Ethel M. Funke

Ethel Marie Funke passed away on June 17 , 2016, at the Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa.  Ethel was born on April 13, 1918 to Mathias and Catherine Hageman Drilling.  Ethel and her older brother attended school at St Joseph Grade School and Ethel attend Assumption High School.  Ethel remembered going to school with their horse “Maggy” and a top covered buggy, with sandwiches and a bag of oats for “Maggy”.

Ethel married Hugo Funke on September 9, 1940 at St. Joseph’s Church in Cresco.  Ethel and Hugo farmed five miles north of Cresco with their seven children.  After Hugo’s death in 1966, Ethel and her three youngest daughters moved into Cresco where she worked sixteen years at the hospital as an aide.  After she retired from the hospital, she did some private care.  Ethel enjoyed gardening, flowers, sewing and quilting and being with her family.

Surviving Ethel are one son, Neil (Michelle) of Cresco, Joyce Miller of Rochester, Janet Funke of San Diego, CA, Joan (Ivan) Permann of American Falls, Idaho, Betty Funke of Denver, CO, Norma (Bruce) Paulsen of Glenville, MN and daughter in law Ruth Funke of Decorah, IA.  Ethel had thirteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren with numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Hugo, son Kenneth, sons-in-law James Miller and Jerry Magnuson, and brother Urban (Mickie) Drilling.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, IA. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Cresco, IA.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the time of service Thursday at the church.

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