Funeral Mass was held for Martha Wilkowski-Barclay on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Perham with Fr. Tom Skara celebrating. The pallbearers were all of Martha’s grandchildren. Martha was laid to rest in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, Perham.

Martha Margaret Macho was born on August 11, 1933, at home in Leaf River township, Wadena County. Her parents were the late Bill and Kathrine (Braith) Macho. Martha attended country school at District #34 in Rockwood Township and Sebeka High School. She was employed as a housekeeper in Wadena for several years.

On October 16, 1951, Martha was united in marriage with Francis C. Wilkowski at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Blue Grass. Their marriage was blessed with 8 children. Martha and Francis made their home in Evergreen Township, Becker County where they farmed and attended Holy Cross Catholic Church in Butler. Martha was very active at Holy Cross where she belonged to the Christian Mothers and taught Religious Education Classes.

In 1991 Martha and Francis retired from farming and made their home in Perham Township, Otter Tail County. Together they enjoyed traveling to Alaska, the Holy Land, Redwood Parks in California, Grand Canyon, and fishing for salmon in the Pacific Ocean.

Martha loved working in the garden, singing, dancing, fishing, deer hunting with family and helping on the farm. She also belonged with the St. Agnes/Mary Mission Circle, volunteered where needed at St Stan, St. Henry’s Church and at the nursing home. She also enjoyed oil painting, crocheting, and playing cards with family and friends.

Francis passed away on July 6, 2008. Martha has continued to reside at their home in Perham Township. On August 9, 2014, Martha married Larry Barclay at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Perham. Martha and Larry made their home in Perham Township and spent winters in Texas where they fished in the ship canals, played cards, and visited with friends.

Preceding Martha in death are her parents, Bill and Kathrine; husband Francis; infant daughter, Beverly; son-in-law Dan Volkmann and Jerry Bernt; sisters Agnes and Willa; brother Isidore; brothers-in-law Phil Hertel, Ted Ludifigie, Ed Opatz, Phil Wilkowski and Leonard Hoffman; sister-in-law Caroline Macho, Olga Wilkowski.

Martha is survived by her children: Steve (Linda) Wilkowski of Frazee; Sandy Volkmann of Henning: Jesse (Sue) Wilkowski of Menahga; Karen Bernt of Columbia Falls, Mont.; Jean (Mark) Heston of Frazee; Roy (Stacy) Wilkowski of Hanover, Pa.; Jeff (Carolyn) Wilkowski of Trempealeau, Wis.; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; siblings: Cathy Hertel of New York Mills; Caroline Opatz of Rice, Minn.; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Martha’s family.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.