Victor Louis Shimek, 95, died Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Green Prairie Rehabilitation Facility in Plainview, Minnesota. Join us in celebrating Vic’s life on Saturday, August 29, from 1-4 at the Plainview Community Center.
Victor was born November 12, 1930, to Edward and Mary (Bily) Shimek in Spillville, Iowa. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Spillville, and one year of high school in Calmar, Iowa. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Klimesh on October 4, 1954. Together they raised four daughters. Betty passed away September 20, 2024, just shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.
Victor spent several years farming in the Spillville, Ridgeway, and Bluffton, Iowa, areas and Peterson, Minnesota. Some of Vic’s fondest memories were of working with the horses on the farm as a young man. After he quit farming, Vic worked on the Watkins Research Farm near Winona, Minnesota. After leaving the Winona area, the family moved to Henrytown and then Harmony, Minnesota. Vic was employed by Midland Cooperative and later by 21st Century Genetics. In 1979 Victor and Betty moved to Rochester, Minnesota, and Vic began working for Minnesota Select Sires. He retired in 1995. During early retirement he worked maintenance jobs parttime, including at Rochester Public Schools and the Rochester Public Library. He retired from that in 2010 at age 80.
Victor was a long-time Minnesota Twins fan and enjoyed camping and fishing at Cutty’s Okoboji Resort with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed reading, playing solitaire, and occasional bus trips to local casinos.
Victor is survived by three daughters: Kathy (David) Olson of Lakeville, Minnesota, Cyndie (Rick) Kahn of Plainview, Minnesota, and Sheila Shimek of Winona, Minnesota; along with eight grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, daughter Sandra Tomashek, sister Marcella Kovarik, and his parents.
Victor’s body was donated to Mayo Clinic for medical research.
Thank you to the staff at Green Prairie Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center for their care during his time with them.
Memorials suggested to Green Prairie Activities Fund or your local public library
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