Lillian C. Wirkus, 92, of Webster, SD died Monday, June 28, 2010 at Sanford Hospital, Webster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 Friday, July 2, 2010 at Christ The King Catholic Church, Webster. Burial will be in St. Otto's Cemetery, Webster.

Visitation will be from 1-4 Thursday at Coester Funeral Home, Webster. Visitation will resume again from 5-7 at the church with a 6:30 wake service.

Lillian Clara Wirkus was born in Butler, SD on August 12, 1917, the daughter of Anton and Martha (Pischke) Gort. She attended St. Otto's Catholic School through the eighth grade, and then transferred to Mount Marty Boarding and High School in Yankton, SD. She graduated from Mount Marty in 1936 and returned to Webster and worked at Happy's Café.

She married Henry Wirkus on January 11, 1944, at St. Otto's Catholic Church in Webster, and they made their home in Webster. Lillian was always interested in and loved cooking and baking. She worked at the Webster Bakery, the Webster School lunch program, the Peabody Clinic, and later was the dietician at the Bethesda Nursing Home for twenty-one years, retiring in November 1990. She also was very active in the life of St. Otto's Parish (now Christ The King). Her strong faith was always evident in the way she went about daily living. She had a special relationship with prayer, and with her church attendance and church activities, which included being a member of the Funeral Choir and the Altar Society. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, working on many projects in support of her brother's military service in Africa.

Lillian enjoyed playing the piano, was always positive, and looked to the bright side of life. She was always quick to see the good in people. She also loved making chocolate chip cookies, which were enjoyed by all the family. And driving her 1987 burgundy Pontiac was a great delight. Lillian truly enjoyed her entire family, loved family gatherings, and when her three daughters would accompany her on any occasion, her joy was evident.

Lillian is survived by three daughters: Judy Zenk, Webster, SD, Monica Kwasniewski (Lew) Feuerstein, Watertown, SD, and Karen Hanson, Langford, SD; six grandchildren: Fred (Cindy) Zenk, Webster, SD, Lori (Martin) Yost, Lisa (Ed) Ronke, Becky (Trent) Binde, Watertown, SD, Troy Hanson, Stacy (Jennifer) Hanson, Langford, SD; eight great-grandchildren: Crissa (Justin) Fruechte, Estelline, SD, Kyli (JD) Deranleau, Brookings, SD, Derek Zenk, Danny Zenk, Webster, SD, Jacob Ronke, Jared Ronke, Zachary Binde, Zandar Binde, Watertown, SD, and one great-great grandchild, Mason Fruechte, sister-in-law Frances Zenk, Webster, SD, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Amy & Roman Wirkus, St. Paul, MN, brother-in-law Joe Wirkus and friend, Betty, Clitheral, MN, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry, her parents, a brother Hugh Gort, her sisters Rose (Jack) Kies, Angela (Leo) Sass, one grandchild Philip Hanson, two sons-in-law, James Kwasniewski and Don Zenk.

Honorary Pallbearers are the wonderful staff and caregivers of Sanford Webster Hospital, and the Sun Dial Manor Nursing Home in Bristol.

Active Pallbearers are grandsons Fred Zenk, Troy Hanson, Stacy Hanson, and granddaughters husbands Martin Yost, Ed Ronke, Trent Binde.