Mary Switajewski

Mary Loretta Veronica (Riley) Switajewski, 92, Pine River, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at home. Important to her were God, family and friends.

Mary was born February 15, 1920, in Redwood Falls, MN, to Thomas and Cecilia (Kelly) Riley. At the age of five she moved from Morton to Pine River. After high school, Mary moved to Bremerton Washington and then to San Diego where she met her future husband, Edward, while he was proudly serving in the United States Navy during World War II. They married on November 14, 1945. Together with her husband, Ed, she owned and operated the Shamrock Cafe in Pine River for nine years.

She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 87 years, Fraser-Nelson Auxiliary, Council of Catholic Women. She supported Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, numerous missions and volunteered at the Local Food Shelf for several years.

During her life she sang in the church choir and at weddings and funerals. She liked to draw, watch the birds on their feeders and especially enjoyed her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was well known for her cooking and baking skills.

Survivors include five sons, Thomas (Irene) Switajewski, Hanford, CA, Timothy (Cathy) Switajewski, Pine River, Todd (Yvonne) Switajewski, Pine River, Terry (Renee) Switajewski, Babbitt, and Tracy Switajewski, Brainerd; four daughters, Theresa (Jack) Jarvela, Brainerd, Toni (Kevin) Kleiner, Pine River, Thais (Dennis) Kline, Pine River, Tammy (Paul) Venezia, Chesapeake, VA; 27 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; infant son, Joseph; infant daughter, Trina; parents-Thomas and Cecilia Riley, brothers-Lloyd Riley, James Riley, John Riley, William Riley; sister, Harriet Riley.

A funeral Mass will be said for her at 11 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pine River with Father Bruce Engen the celebrant. Burial will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River followed by a Rosary.