Marie F. Okonek

Marie Okonek

Funeral services will be held this Saturday, January 3rd, for Marie F. Okonek, a lifelong Stevens Point resident, who passed away at age 96 on November 21st at Oak Ridge Assisted Living Center. Visitation at St. Joseph's Church will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a Mass at 11:00 am.

Burial at Guardian Angel Cemetery will follow. Pisarski Funeral Homes is assisting the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

Marie was born March 6, 1918 to the late Stephen and Helen Okonek. She was a graduate of Stevens Point schools, and had a long career at Sentry Insurance, retiring as a Procedure Technician in the Procedures – Communications Unit. She literally walked gently on this earth and was a very happy person who lived her life caring for others. The important things in her life included God, her church, family, friends, her job, garden and health. She sang, prayed and loved her way through 96 years, and she is missed greatly.

She survived a particularly virulent cancer while in her 40's, and subsequently devoted much of her spare time to health and sensible lifestyle causes. Well into her 80's, she was delivering Meals on Wheels to "those old people who can't get out" along with being active with the Red Cross Bloodmobile, St. Michael's Hospital Auxiliary and the American Cancer Society. Marie was a member of St. Joseph's Congregation and St. Ann's Society, a past officer of St. Peter's Rosary Society, a charter member and officer of the National Catholic Society of Foresters, St. Elizabeth Court #879, and a member and officer of Catholic Senior Daughters of the America's Court #1031.For many family occasions, she would prepare a host of signature dishes.

She enjoyed activities with her late brother Leonard and his wife Irene's children visiting them at their homes throughout the country. A perennial optimist, despite having suffered through severe health challenges, she had many friends and an active life. She was a wealth of information about family history and wrote extensively about cousins, grandparents and events from the past, making sure the family knew its roots.

Until dementia hit, Marie walked everywhere in town including getting to Mass, to work, water exercise class, visiting family and even to Schmeeckle Reserve where she enjoyed the beauty. "Oh, what a beautiful day!" was her usual morning greeting.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her, brother (Leonard "Slim") niece (Mary), great niece (Stephanie) and sister in-law Irene (Gietkowski) Okonek.

Surviving her in death are nephews Stephen J. Okonek (Bonnie, Half Moon Bay, CA), Anne E. Okonek (Cornell, MI), Thomas J. Okonek (Barbara, Bloomington, MN) and John L. Okonek (Margaret, Stevens Point). Great nieces and nephews include Brianna, James, Nate, Amy, Laura, Joe, Sarah, and great-great nephews Lance and Nolan. The entire family extends their appreciation to the staffs at both Oakridge Assisted Living Care and Heartland Hospice for their efforts in support of Marie.

In addition, her niece and nephews living beyond Wisconsin express special thanks to their youngest brother John, who, along with his family, played a special role in caring for Marie in her final years.