Obituary for Irene "Penny" Wojciak (Mlinar)
Irene (Penny) Mlinar Wojciak peacefully made her journey home January 3rd, 2024, at Edgewood Senior Living in Blaine, MN. She was 94 years old.
Penny was born May 3rd, 1929 in Holding Ford, MN. She was the first daughter of Peter and Ann Mlinar.
In 1938 her family moved to and made their home in Minneapolis, MN. This is where she met the love of her life Charles (Chuck) Wojciak.
In 1951 Penny hopped in a car with a few of her friends and drove out to California to meet up and marry the love of her life Chuck who was in the service and stationed in California. This was the first of the many adventures Penny and Chuck experienced throughout their 64 years of marriage. They enjoyed to travel and when not traveling they enjoyed being up at their cabin in northern MN. This was their happy place where they spent countless hours with their family and many friends.
Penny started her working career at a young age. She was a Soda jerk at the 2nd Street Drug Store and while working there she studied to be a beautician. After she finished school Penny worked at a beauty shop called Viv's for many years. Penny decided she should be her own boss and purchased the Stadium Beauty Salon on Oak and Washington in Minneapolis. This is where she successfully worked along with her sisters for the next 22 years.
Penny's prayers were answered when the pride and joy of her life came to her in 1975. Three children joined Penny and Chuck to form a family. Penny would do anything to make sure her family, including her nieces and nephews, was loved and well taken care of. She always said she was the blessed one to have such a beautiful family.
Penny absolutely loved hosting family and friend gatherings. She thrived in the company of her loved ones. She was always known for her wonderful food. No one ever left her home with an empty stomach. She always hosted with a smile on her face and love in her heart. Penny was very proud of her grandchildren. Her face would light up every time she would talk about her grandchildren. She was very involved with their lives, making sure she was at every event they were in.
Penny spent each morning of her life saying her prayers. She believed deeply in the love of Jesus and lived her life to reflect this. Penny was often described as an angel while here on earth, now this beautiful angel has gained her wings.
Preceded by husband: Charles Wojciak, siblings: Peter Mlinar, Al "John" (Betty) Mlinar, Mary Ann Langlais and Helen “Babs” (Robert) Stroinski; brother-in-law, Richard Wojciak. Survived by children: Scott (Shannah) Wojciak, Carmen (Dale) Robertson and Cheryl Minichilli (Rick Kruse); grandchildren, William and Brandon Wojciak, Tony (Sarah) Robertson, Angela Robertson (Alec Stilwell); great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Emilia Robertson; brother-in-law, Earl Langlais; sisters-in-law, Corrine (Phil) Perry & Shirley Mlinar; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service at ST. MARY’S ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (1701 NE 5th Street) Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 at 11 AM with visitation one hour prior. Interment St. Mary’s Orthodox Cemetery. Family prefers memorials.
Penny was born May 3rd, 1929 in Holding Ford, MN. She was the first daughter of Peter and Ann Mlinar.
In 1938 her family moved to and made their home in Minneapolis, MN. This is where she met the love of her life Charles (Chuck) Wojciak.
In 1951 Penny hopped in a car with a few of her friends and drove out to California to meet up and marry the love of her life Chuck who was in the service and stationed in California. This was the first of the many adventures Penny and Chuck experienced throughout their 64 years of marriage. They enjoyed to travel and when not traveling they enjoyed being up at their cabin in northern MN. This was their happy place where they spent countless hours with their family and many friends.
Penny started her working career at a young age. She was a Soda jerk at the 2nd Street Drug Store and while working there she studied to be a beautician. After she finished school Penny worked at a beauty shop called Viv's for many years. Penny decided she should be her own boss and purchased the Stadium Beauty Salon on Oak and Washington in Minneapolis. This is where she successfully worked along with her sisters for the next 22 years.
Penny's prayers were answered when the pride and joy of her life came to her in 1975. Three children joined Penny and Chuck to form a family. Penny would do anything to make sure her family, including her nieces and nephews, was loved and well taken care of. She always said she was the blessed one to have such a beautiful family.
Penny absolutely loved hosting family and friend gatherings. She thrived in the company of her loved ones. She was always known for her wonderful food. No one ever left her home with an empty stomach. She always hosted with a smile on her face and love in her heart. Penny was very proud of her grandchildren. Her face would light up every time she would talk about her grandchildren. She was very involved with their lives, making sure she was at every event they were in.
Penny spent each morning of her life saying her prayers. She believed deeply in the love of Jesus and lived her life to reflect this. Penny was often described as an angel while here on earth, now this beautiful angel has gained her wings.
Preceded by husband: Charles Wojciak, siblings: Peter Mlinar, Al "John" (Betty) Mlinar, Mary Ann Langlais and Helen “Babs” (Robert) Stroinski; brother-in-law, Richard Wojciak. Survived by children: Scott (Shannah) Wojciak, Carmen (Dale) Robertson and Cheryl Minichilli (Rick Kruse); grandchildren, William and Brandon Wojciak, Tony (Sarah) Robertson, Angela Robertson (Alec Stilwell); great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Emilia Robertson; brother-in-law, Earl Langlais; sisters-in-law, Corrine (Phil) Perry & Shirley Mlinar; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service at ST. MARY’S ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (1701 NE 5th Street) Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 at 11 AM with visitation one hour prior. Interment St. Mary’s Orthodox Cemetery. Family prefers memorials.