Stella K. Shirek

Stella K. Shirek, age 94, of Lakota, ND, formerly of Lankin, ND, died Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Society in Lakota, surrounded by her family.

Stella was born May 21, 1928 to Stanley & Alice (Sirek) Mayer on the family farm near Michigan, ND.  She was raised on the farm and attended rural schools, graduating from Michigan High School in 1946.  She then attended Mayville State Teachers College and taught at the rural schools of Nash, Lambert, Norton, and Cleveland.  Stella married James T. Shirek on October 30, 1950 at Bechyne.  They lived on their farm and she worked part time at the Johnson Store in Michigan.  In 2014 they moved into Prairie Rose at Lakota.  They were married 65 years at the time of James’ death on June 25, 2016.  That year Stella moved to the Good Samaritan.  Stella was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Bechyne and the Altar Society, Whitman TOPS Club, Busy Fingers Homemakers, FCSLA, Bechyne Heritage Hall Committee, and also worked with the Census Bureau for many decades.  She was known for her wit & sense of humor, and her poetic writings.  She always enjoyed having her grandchildren visit at the farm.

Stella is survived by her children, Beverly Sommerfeld of Fargo, ND, James M. Shirek of rural Lankin, ND, Trish (Harley) Wallace of San Tan Valley, AZ, and Anthony (Laura) Shirek of Rochester, MN; daughter-in-law, Joy Shirek of Minot, ND; grandchildren, Rick (Kelly) Sommerfeld, Dan Sommerfeld, Matt (Amy) Sommerfeld, Phil (Kiley) Shirek, Charlie (Alyssa) Shirek, Angie (Jossue) Ortiz, Julie (Ed) Golding, Dylan Shirek, and Alexa (Brennan) Erickson; great-grandchildren, Miranda & Alyssa Sommerfeld, Enzo & Claire Ortiz, Declan & Tovah Shirek, Parker & Becca Shirek, Lucy & Sophie Golding, and Quinn & Lily Erickson; 3 step grandchildren, Brian Wallace, Justin Wallace, and Kelli Witt; 5 step great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Mayer of St. Paul, MN; sister, Judy (Gus) Larson of Wasilla, AK; 2 sisters-in-law, Marcy Oppegaard of Lakota and Connie Mayer of Mandan, ND; and numerous nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Randy; son-in-law, James Sommerfeld; sisters, Marcella, Alice, RoseAnn, and Blanche; and brothers, Otto, Stanley, Gus, and George.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne, rural Lankin, ND, on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be held at the Church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.  Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.

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