Marie Shereck

Marie Aino Maki Shereck, 84, of Cambridge, formerly of Aitkin, MN passed away on September 11, 2022 at Encore Assisted Living in North Branch, MN.  Marie was born Aino Anna Maria Maki in Kuortane, Finland To Bertta and llmari Maki on July 25, 1938. Her parents were hard working farmers in a rural area outside of Kuortane, Finland. They emigrated to America in search of a better life and more opportunities for their children. Her family, including two brothers, Matt and Martin Maki, came to America in 1951 from Stockholm. She was 13 years old, and none of them spoke English. The journey across the Atlantic was in November and her mother spent the trip in their room, seasick, with a one year old, Martin, while Marie followed her four year old brother, Matt, around trying to keep him from falling overboard.  They settled in Hibbing, MN, where her father's uncle and aunt lived. Her dad got a job in the Iron Ore mines and the family settled into their new life. Marie said she started in Kindergarten and spent a few weeks in each grade so she could learn the English language until she caught up with her 8th grade peers. Her best friend in high school was Evelyn Powell Hollering, and they have remained friends, talking on the phone, almost daily for 70 years.  Marie married Ronald J. Shereck on December 8, 1956 in Chisholm, MN. To this union 5 children were born, Doreen, Mark, Linda, Kevin, and Tim. The family lived in Minnesota, Oakland, CA and Knoxville, TN throughout their marriage. Marie and Ron bought the Glen Store in Glen, MN in 1983 and operated it for 13 years. She was the cook in the cafe and was famous for her Glen Store Pancakes, potato salad, and banana bread. Ron died in 2009 and Marie lived in the Glen area until 2020. She then moved to Riverwood in Cambridge, MN for two years.  Marie liked to knit, play solitaire, and every holiday was the potato dumpling maker for the family. She loved her family very much. She would hand knit many socks and scarves in her life. She enjoyed our "Shereck Girls Weekends".  She raised us to be  humble and never boastful. She taught us by example to work hard at whatever we do. She possessed "SISU" a Finnish word translated to: grit, perseverance, and determination, and she has passed it down to her family.  Marie is preceded in death by her parents Bertta and llmari, husband, Ron, brother Martin, in-laws Adeline and Gilbert Shereck, brothers in law, Dennis, Vern, John and James Shereck.

Marie is survived by her children: Doreen(John) Polzin of Mora, Mark (Vicki) Shereck of Virginia, Linda (Brad)Swanson of Cambridge, Kevin (Jane) Shereck of Richmond, Tim (Sarah) Shereck of Aitkin;  Brother Matt (Judy) Maki of Chisholm; Sisters in law: Margaret Shereck of Bagley, and Barb Shereck of Blaine;  Grandchildren: Trisha (Brent) Curtis, Nicole Kram, Tyler Swanson, Derek (Gloria) Swanson, Ashley (Evan) Friedlieb, Karly Shereck, Haley and Natalie Shereck;  Great grandchildren: Kirsten and Hunter Curtis, Emily, Westyn and Kalleigh Kram, Gavin, Tucker, Odessa and McCoy Swanson, Theodore and Victor Swanson, Lennox Friedlieb. And many other special relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin, MN. Father Mike Patullo will be the officiant. Visitation is one hour prior to service at the church. A private family burial will be held later at Rabbit Lake Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.  Go to www.srtfuneral.com to leave a message of sympathy.

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