Obituary: Cornella ‘Corky’ Podjaski
Cornella “Corky” Podjaski, age 97, of Reedsburg, WI and formerly of Winona, MN, passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at the Sauk County Health Care Center in Reedsburg.
She was born on October 9, 1923, in Winona, to Paul and Anna (Jasnoch) Lilla. She was united in marriage with Robert “Rusty” Podjaski on May 5, 1945, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona, and they celebrated 72 years of marriage. Rusty preceded her in death on October 3, 2017.
Corky went to Washington, DC during the war to work at the US Treasury, and returning to Winona, she was then employed by Valley Wholesalers as a bookkeeper, Standard Lumber, and later part-time at Winona State University.
Corky was an avid golfer and a member at Westfield Golf Club for 60 years. She also enjoyed bowling. She was a constant fan and supporter of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins, and later the Milwaukee Brewers. Corky and Rusty enjoyed watching their grandkids and great-grandkids in all their sports over the years.
She was a member of the Polish Heritage Society, and was a life-long member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona, until moving to Reedsburg several years ago to be closer to her daughter.
Corky is lovingly survived by her daughter: Sandy (Peter) Edwards, Reedsburg; grandchildren: Chad Edwards, Estes Park, CO; Benjamin (Jen Parkyns) Edwards, Omaha, NE; Erin (Chris) Edwards-Selje, Reedsburg; great-grandchildren: Natalie, Bridget, Elliott, Elaine, and Aden Edwards; and Amelia Selje; as well as other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law: Sylvester and Ruth Lilla; brother-in-law: James Podjaski; sister-in-law: Patricia Mc Guire; half-brothers-in-law: Bernard, John and Edward Duffy; as well as other relatives.
Corky’s family would like to extend a very special thanks you to Dr. Marybeth Shear; the nurses nursing assistants, and all the people at Sauk County Health Care Center who worked tirelessly to care for Corky, especially in this trying time of COVID, and to Deacon Tom Hale, Father David Corrano, and Father Pat Wendler for all their prayers, guidance and friendship.
A Mass of Christian Burial is being planned to be held in Winona in the spring of 2021.
Online condolences or memories may be left for Corky’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.
Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home of Winona is assisting the family with arrangements.
