Middle River - John Cwikla, 79, died Friday, January 8, 1999 at the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Mass of Christian burial was held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Middle River with Father Don Braukmann officiating. Mitch Walski was the organist, and Lacie Roppe was the flutist. Vocal music was provided by Meridith Walton and Darryl Tveitbakk.
Mary Ann and Jerry Cwikla were the eucharistic ministers, and Don Blazek was the reader. Giftbearers were John's great-grandchildren. Casketbearers were Ryan Walseth, David Walseth, Ken Cwikla, Dave Cwikla, Justin Walseth, Kevin Roppe, Paul Cwikla and Jerod Kolden. Interment was in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Middle River. The Collins Funeral Home of Middle River was in charge of the arrangements.
John Joseph Cwikla was born on July 31, 1919 at Bettendorf, Iowa, the son of Peter and Caroline (Lis) Cwikla. As a child he moved with his family to the Thief Lake area in Marshall county near Middle River. There he attended school and grew up. John was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.
On October 4, 1939 he was united in marriage to Ann Burian at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush. Following their marriage the couple resided in St. Paul for two years before moving to their farm in Thief Lake township. They farmed until 1977 when they moved into Middle River.
After Ann died on January 8, 1991 John continued to make his home in Middle River until the fall of 1996 when he moved to Thief River Falls. He has resided at the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center since May of 1998.
He was a long-time member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Middle River where he served as caretaker. For 33 years he was clerk of the Thief Lake town board. John was also a member of the Middle River School board for many years and the Middle River Creamery board. He was a member of the Thief River Falls Knights of Columbus, the Thief River Falls Eagles and the Middle River Community Club.
He enjoyed fishing, trapping, hunting and woodworking.
John is survived by two sons, James (Arnette) and Allan (Pam), both of Thief River Falls; two daughters, Carol of Minneapolis and Eileen (Al) Walseth of Thief River Falls; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Paul (Frances) and Alex (Mimi), both of Middle River, and Frank of Wannaska; two sisters, Mary Taus of Middle River and Ann (Albert) Zeidlik of Roseau; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; stepfather, Nick Zelik; one grandson, Johnny; two brothers, Stanley and one in infancy; and two sisters, Rose Burian and Pauline Berg.