Esther C. Stanek

Esther C. Stanek, age 90, of Little Falls, MN, formerly of Sobieski, MN, passed away Friday, January 20, 2012, at the St. Cloud Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN with Fr. Jimmy Joseph officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2012, at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN, with a parish prayer service at 5:00 P.M. Esther was born on April 30, 1921, in Swan River Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late John & Victoria (Dziedzic) Gwosdz. She was united in marriage to Clarence Stanek on July 20, 1943, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN. The couple lived most of their married life in Sobieski where they owned and operated Stanek's. Esther was a faithful member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski where she served as the organist for many years. She was recognized by the St. Cloud Diocese for her faithful service in her parish. Esther enjoyed playing cards, fishing, music, quilting, watching her grandsons play baseball, and watching her Minnesota Twins. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Marie (Ron) Gerads of Elk River, MN, Janet (Bruce) Olson of Swanville, MN, John "Art" Stanek of Minneapolis, MN, Lois (Fred) Landin of Minnetonka, MN, Carolyn (Robert) Suska of Bowlus, MN, and Robert (Jeanne) Stanek of Champlin, MN; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Theresa Gwost of Lansing, MI, Doris Gwost of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Vangie Gwost of Little Falls, MN, and brother-in-law, Dan Stanek of Little Falls, MN. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Stanek; parents, John & Victoria Gwosdz; eight brothers, Frank, John, Joseph, Andrew, Walter, David, George and Edward Gwost, and four sisters, Tecla Gardner, Louise Lashinski and Mary Ciminski, Rose Ringwelski.