Geraldine Margaret (Pokrzywinski) Topka

Geraldine Topka, 84, of Argyle, MN, on Monday, May 5, 2025, in Villa St. Vincent of Crookston, in the room she shared with her husband, Raphael, left this mortal life with her family surrounding her.

Geraldine Margaret was born on March 15, 1941, in Oslo, MN, to John and Margaret (Dauksavage) Pokrzywinski. The youngest of eleven children, Geraldine grew up in Argyle's “Frogtown” and attended school before going into the workforce. She knew Raphael Topka for most of her life, first eyeing him as he chauffeured her around town, then waiting for him to finish in the military, and finally marrying him on September 9, 1961, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The two made their home in Argyle for most of the rest of their lives together. As Geri and Raphael raised three children, she stayed home and will be remembered for always making fresh lunches by request. From Polish foods, to whatever their school friends might ask for, Geraldine homecooked meals that were delicious.

When the kids were all in school, Geraldine went back to work. She assisted in several potato harvests for the Bergerons and Safranskis before starting on a 40-plus year career as a waitress. She liked serving food (at LaFond's, Tater's Cafe, and the Pepper Mill) but really liked talking to people. She had lifelong friends in the area, and if she could chat over a meal (that she'd serve) she was happy. Geri kept a large vegetable garden and canned its produce. She also enjoyed growing flowers, going to the horse races in Winnipeg with Raphael, playing pinochle with the Topkas and many friends, shaking dice, or doing puzzles with her family long into the night.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Raphael; three children, Darrell (Sandy) Topka, Donna Topka, and Denise (Brian) Larson; fourteen grandchildren, Alicia, Joey, Chassidy, Jordan, Katie, Nicole, and Jenna, Joshua, Bethany, Adam, Matthew, and Taylor, and Eric and Cameron; many great-grandchildren; and her nieces and nephews.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; all of her siblings, Julian, Alice Kostrzewski, Loretta Kostrzewski, Sarah Lindemoen, Dorothy Stancyk, Alex, Peter, Chester, Leonard, and Louis Pokrzywinski; nephews and niece, Sonny Kostrzewski, Jerry Kostrzewski, Daniel Kostrzewski, Jimmy Pokrzywinski, Jerry Pokrzywinski, Rick Lindemoen, and Nancy Dixon; and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Argyle, MN.
VISITATION: Thursday evening, May 8, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Church; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Rose Catholic Cemetery, Argyle, MN.