Service Information
Mary Ann Sopkowiak, age 66, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at her home in Glencoe, Minnesota.
Memorial Services will be held Monday, August 28, 2017, 10:30 A.M. at Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota. Private interment at a later date.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Sunday, August 27, 2017, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe, with a prayer service at 7:30 P.M. Gathering of Family and Friends will continue one hour prior the service at the church on Monday.
Obituary
Mary Ann (Smoldt) Sopkowiak was born February 14, 1951 to Louis and Della (Haag) Smoldt in Akeley, Minnesota. She was baptized on February 10th, 1958 by the Rev. W. A. Koch at her home and confirmed in her faith on April 11th, 1965 with the Rev. Theo Myers officiating at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. She joined the First Congregational Church of Glencoe in 1983. She was baptized by immersion at Berean Baptist Church on April 30th, 2006. Mary was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe at the time of her death.
She attended grade school through 6th grade in Plato. Then attended Glencoe public schools and graduated from Glencoe high school in 1969. She attended Ridgewater College in Hutchinson to become a nursing assistant in 2001 and a trained medical assistant in 2004.
Mary was united in marriage with Roger Sopkowiak on March 21st, 1970, by Rev. Michael Skoblek at the Church of St. Joseph in Silver Lake. This marriage was blessed with one son Tom.
Mary lived in Akeley as an infant, in Plato until 1969, and Lester Prairie until 1971. While Roger was in the navy they lived in Williamsburg, VA and then they returned to Minnesota and resided in Glencoe.
She was employed at Telex from 1969 to 1980, Starkey Labs from 1980 to 2001, Waconia Good Samaritan Homes from 2001 to 2004, Glencoe Regional Health Services from 2004 to 2005, and Westview Acres Assisted Living in Waconia until 2017.
Mary treasured all the times she spent with family and friends, camping, campfires, fishing, hunting and gathering for the holidays. She also enjoyed karate, running and reading.
Survivors include her husband, Roger Sopkowiak of Glencoe, Son and daughter-in-law Tom and Sara Sopkowiak of Hector, Siblings, Ruth (Earl) Richter of Annandale, Louis (Mary) Smoldt of Glencoe, Charles (Jeanie) Smoldt of Cokato, Hazel (David) Bishop of Glencoe; half-siblings, Lorraine (Roger) Frey of Avon, S.D., Evangelynn Anderson of Apple Valley, Leonard (Colleen)Baltus of Garrison, N.D., Marlene (Patrick) Howe of Buffalo, Darlene (John) Malech of Coon Rapids: brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jerry Nelson of Mayer, Ruth Smoldt of Glencoe, as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; father-and mother-in-law, Warren and Sophie Sopkowiak; brother, Herbert Smoldt; sister, Carmen Nelson; half siblings, Viola Jackson, Richard Smoldt, Gladys Berg, Russell Smoldt, Ronald Smoldt, Betty Grant, Robert Smoldt, Edna Stueber, Delbert Baltus; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law, Ronald and Mary Lou Sopkowiak, Jane and Ed Yurek.
Sharon (Wolter) Beneke says
Sharon (Wolter) Beneke • a few seconds ago
So sorry for the loss of a great lady. Tommy and Laura were good friends in Sunday School and school. Hope the great memories you have of Mary will carry you through this difficult time.
Yvonne Sierra says
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mary. I had the pleasure of working with her at Starkey so many years ago. At that time, when I was so far away from my own mother, she stepped in to guide me into motherhood when I had my first son, as a Texas native, she held my hand when I became intimidated by the cold Minnesota winters and she showed me the way to Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior by encouraging me to learn more about our Lord. She gave me support in Christianity, so much so that I taught Sunday school at the church we attended at the time and attended bible study with her. She was my mentor both professionally and personally. There are only a handful of people that have touched my life so beautifully and my dear friend, Mary is one of them. I send my sincere condolences to her family, Roger and Tom. This world is a sadder place without her in it. God bless you Mary. You will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. Rest In Peace my dear friend. ??