Elizabeth (Betty) Shimek, 88, of Plainview, Minn., (formerly of Rochester and Harmony, Minn.), died on September 20, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Betty spent her final summer doing what she loved most, spending time with family and visiting the casino.
Betty (Klimesh) Shimek was born January 19, 1936, the eighth child of Joseph and Albina Klimesh in Conover, Iowa. She attended Madison #5 Country School and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School. She married Victor Shimek on October 4, 1954, and they raised four daughters together.
Betty was a devoted farm wife and later held various jobs including at Harmony Enterprises, as Harmony City Clerk, and with the Harmony Post Office. She was a volunteer with the Harmony Ambulance Service. In 1979, Betty and Vic moved to Rochester where Betty finished her Post Office career at the Rochester Post Office, retiring in 1996. Post-retirement, Betty worked part time as a para for the Rochester Public School District.
Her grandkids and great grandkids were the joy of her life. In her free time, Betty enjoyed gardening, camping with the grandkids, doing needlework, birdwatching, and socializing with friends and family. In later years, she also found joy in trips to the casino, or playing cards and dominos. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, following the team on TV and radio.
Betty was a participant in the Mayo Clinic Study on Aging and, upon her death, donated her body to Mayo Clinic for research.
Betty is survived by her husband Victor and daughters Kathy (David) Olson of Lakeville, Minn., Cynthia (Richard) Kahn of Plainview, Minn., and Sheila Shimek of Winona, Minn. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
One daughter, Sandra (Ed) Tomashek, preceded her in death.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Plainview Community Center, 234 W. Broadway, Plainview, Minn., on November 2, 1–4 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Dr. S.W., Rochester, Minn. 55902 or Green Prairie Assisted Living, 810 2nd Ave., Plainview. Minn. 55964.
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