Mary Margret Bear, age 81 of Ortonville, died Sunday, November 12, 2017, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on... Mary Bear

Mary Margret Bear, age 81 of Ortonville, died Sunday, November 12, 2017, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville. Visitation and Rosary will be one hour prior to the service. Father Brian Oestreich will be the celebrant, and the organist will be Pat Kunz. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be Dan Laskowske, Jeff Laskowske, Nick Bear, Garrett Hennings, Larry Benkowski Jr., Brian Welling, and Donald Welling. Honorary bearers will be Mary’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary Margret Benkowski was born on June 9, 1936, to Joseph and Clementine (Wimmer) Benkowski in Avon, MN. She then lived in Milbank, SD, after marrying Donald Bear on June 15, 1955. The family moved to Ortonville, MN, where Mary spent the remainder of her life.

Mary was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, active on the prayer chain, and involved with many other church organizations. She was a nurse’s aide, waitress at the Columbian Hotel, homemaker, and daycare provider. Mary would also take in extra ironing for the community and cleaned local office buildings. Mary liked to stay busy.

In her spare time, she would like to get her hands on a puzzle, her embroidering, or baking. Mary thoroughly enjoyed going on trips with her family and friends to new places, “especially the casino!”. Mary took great pride in praying for everyone.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Joe Bear of Ortonville, MN; Therese (Robert) Laskowske of Big Stone City, SD; John (Heather) Bear of Dresser, WI; nine grandchildren: Michelle (Garrett) Hennings of Revillo, SD; Wendy Bear (fiancé – Daniel Voorhees) of Marietta, MN; Nicholas (Megan) Bear of Woodbury, MN; Jeffery (Linda) Laskowske of Albert Lea, MN; Daniel (Anna) Laskowske of Milbank, SD; Amy Laskowske of Fargo, ND; Alexis Bear of Alexandria, MN; Shelby LeRoy of St. Paul, MN; and Sarah LeRoy of Dresser, WI; nine great grandchildren: Jaedon Jo, Huxley, Harley, Cody, Anna, Aiden, Preston, Charlie, and Beckham; two brothers: Lawrence (Elanor) Benkowski of Ortonville, MN, and Edward (Linda) Benkowski of New Hope, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Clementine Benkowski; husband, Donald; brother, Stanley Benkowski; sister, Delores Welling; and brother-in-law, Donald Welling.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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