Edna V. Pestka

Edna V. Pestka, age 100, of St. Clair died Friday, July 17, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Pekin, Illinois. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair with Fr. Andy Olsem officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at the church cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is handling arrangements. Edna was born October 1, 1914 to Ferdinand and Meta (Roerig) Kroll. She attended country school near Waldorf, Minnesota and graduated from Mankato Commercial College. She was employed by EF Johnson in Waseca. On November 28, 1939 she married Joseph A Pestka of St. Clair. They lived on the family farm for over 50 years and had seven children. Edna was a very talented musician, playing the organ and piano at her church for many years. She enjoyed traveling, flower gardening, dancing, socializing and was an avid reader. Her greatest joy was attending the music events of her children and grandchildren. Edna is survived by two sons, Wayne (Elaine) Pestka of Mankato, Glenn (Carol) Pestka of Mankato; daughter, Joreen (Thomas) Eiselt of Pekin, IL; eight grandchildren, Ronda (John) Short of Waconia, LuAnn (Keith) Rachey of Waconia, Michelle (Brent) Backstrom of Lakeville, Michael Pestka of Waconia, Janine (Jeremy) Elliot of Omaha, NE, Rochelle, Jaclyn and Matthew Eiselt of Pekin, IL; six great grandchildren, Phylicia and Kiersten Short, Courtney and Cole Backstrom, Matthew and Megan Rachey; nieces, nephews and one cousin. Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph (1990); four sons, Lloyd, Dennis, Joseph and Lee (2015); brother, Ben Kroll; two great granddaughters, Kelsey and Kalley Short. Edna had a great spirit and will be greatly missed.