Myrnel Wojner

MADISON - Myrnel J. Wojner, age 94, of Madison and long-time Eau Claire resident, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at her home under home hospice care.

Myrnel was born Sept. 14, 1918, in Stevens Point, the daughter of Kenneth and Eva Martin. She married Paul Wojner on July 10, 1950, in Tomahawk, Wis. Myrnel's passions in life were her music, especially the violin, family, friends and coffee. Myrnel's first public musical performance was singing a solo at a funeral as a 5-year old. Her love of the violin began at age 10 and carried her to playing in many community symphony organizations throughout her life. She participated in many school music programs and directed a church orchestra while still in high school.

Myrnel graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in music education for band, orchestra and choir and in her career directed Congregational, Methodist and Catholic Church choirs, and for a time played for the Green Bay Symphony. She and her husband Paul operated the Corner Cupboard restaurant in Ellsworth and she taught music and English in a number of high schools in Wisconsin before moving to the Eau Claire area. After contributing to the Eau Claire Junior High strings program, she taught at Eleva-Strum High School for 16 years adding French to many musical formats. Myrnel also taught private music lessons and contributed to various musical programs at area churches.

Myrnel was a long-time member of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra. A highlight of her musical career was a tour in 1965 of 14 European countries with the American Community Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of several music, choral and teaching associations including the American Symphony Orchestra Association.

Survivors include her son, Wendell Wojner (Kate Munns); and grandchildren, Zach, Johannah and Matthew. She is further survived by nieces, Bobbie (Gary) Mallory, Lou Ann (Pete) Stemper, Sandy (Mark) Lisitza, Beverly (Duane) Raatz; and nephews, Ken (Dawn) Frahm, Brad (Edel) Martin, and Truman Bond. Additional survivors include many dear friends, former teaching staff and countless students. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 1982, her parents; sisters, Ethel Frahm and Charlotte Sawdy; and brother, George Martin.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at ASBURY UNITED METHODIST, 6101 University Avenue, Madison. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. A reception will immediately follow in the Asbury Fellowship Hall. A second memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, at SACRED HEART HOSPITAL CHAPEL, 900 West Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, with a reception following at the Plaza-Burgundy restaurant. A private burial will take place at Rest Haven Cemetery, Eau Claire, following the reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Agrace HospiceCare or to the family to establish a fund that supports various music programs.