Mary Ann Shimek

Mary Ann Shimek, age 85, of Willmar, passed away Friday, September 4, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery near Raymond. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Mary was born on February 27, 1941, in Lake Henry, Minnesota, the daughter of Alphonse and Cecelia (Woeste) Lieser. She grew up in Belgrade and Clara City and graduated from Clara City High School in 1959. On April 15, 1961, at St. Clara’s Catholic Church in Clara City, Mary was united in marriage to Ronald F. Shimek. This union was blessed with three children, Cheryl, Joseph, and James. In 1964, they moved to the Willmar community and made their home on Eagle Lake where they owned and operated 71 Bait & Sports for over 35 years. Mary was a member of the Church of St. Mary. She enjoyed polka music and polka dancing, flowers, morning coffee with friends and spending time with her family.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph (and Kelly) Shimek of Spicer and James (and Julie) Shimek of New London; five grandchildren, Andrea Shimek, Amanda (and Eric) Cantwell, Andrew (and Courtney) Shimek, Michael Shimek and Ryan Frahm; and three great grandchildren, Mansom, Reagan and Peyton Cantwell, besides other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; daughter, Cheryl; one brother and sister-in-law, Reuben and Martha Lieser and her parents.