Margaret A. Bembenek, of Manitowoc, passed away on August 1, 2025, at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls. She was 90 years old.
Margaret was born in the township of Sharon on May 14, 1935. She grew up on a farm located near Polonia in Portage County. Margaret attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Polonia, followed by two years at P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point. She and Roman Bembenek were wed on September 17, 1955, and moved to Manitowoc with their young son, Alan, in 1957. Margaret was employed by Paragon Electric Company for thirty years.
Margaret was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Always a hard worker, she kept the house clean and nicely decorated with arts and crafts; the garden weedless; and the kitchen filled with delicious baked goods of all kinds. She was Roman’s caretaker in his later years. Margaret always looked on the sunny side of life, never complaining. She was friendly with everyone, and enjoyed taking walks and speaking with neighbors or anyone else she met. She had an incredible memory for dates, never forgetting anyone’s birthday or wedding anniversary. She was a special lady and will be greatly missed.
As life got less busy in her later years, Margaret’s interests included reading; setting 1,000-piece puzzles; and watching the Packers and Polka, Polka, Polka. She maintained her strong Catholic faith throughout her life. Margaret was a member of the Rosary Altar Society of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. For many years, she assisted at nearly all funeral luncheons at the Marshall Street site, helping out with anything that needed to be done. She also helped clean the inside of the church building on Marshall Street on a regular basis.
Margaret is survived by her son Alan (Michele) Bembenek of Concord, MA; daughter Debra (Kenneth) Lang of Denver, NC; daughter-in-law Cheryl Bembenek of Chilton; grandchildren Stacy (Glen) Fandetti of Charlotte, NC; David (Kayla) Bembenek of Chilton; Jason (Shelley) Lang of Plainfield, IL; Aaron Bembenek of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Ashley (T.J.) Hicks of Charlotte, NC; and Tyler (Juliana Kang) Bembenek of Cambridge, MA; great-grandchildren Audrey, Charles, and Bradley Bembenek of Chilton; Matthew, Stella, and Caroline Fandetti of Charlotte, NC; Siena and Aria Lang of Plainfield, IL; and Christopher and Jacob Hicks of Charlotte, NC; sister Mary Firkus of Neenah; brothers William Kontney of Stevens Point; and David (Lori) Kontney of Sussex; sister-in-law Louise Stroik of Traverse City, MI; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-six years, Roman; her parents, Frank and Laura (Rekowski) Kontney; two brothers (Ronald and Jerome); and son Michael, who succumbed to ALS in 2019.
Margaret and Roman were blessed to have supportive and caring neighbors for many years, including special friends Ann, George, Ruth, Joe, and Elaine. The extended Bembenek family wishes to thank all of them for their many acts of kindness through the years. Additionally, the family would like to recognize the unbounded level of care and support provided by the staff of the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, to Margaret and her loved ones.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi on Marshall, in Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Doug LeCaptain. Relatives and friends may greet the family at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 12:00 noon. Entombment will take place immediately after Mass at Calvary Catholic Mausoleum, Manitowoc. Following entombment, a luncheon will be held at the All Care Center of Pfeffer Funeral Home, 925 South 14th Street, Manitowoc. The funeral will be live-streamed and recorded, and can be viewed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/LakeshoreFamilyFH/.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations anyone might wish to make be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the family with arrangements.
