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Mary J. Cinker

Mary J. Cinker

Mary J. Cinker, age 71, of Menomonie, passed away on Wednesday March 29, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire, after a short battle with cancer.

Mary was born June 30, 1951, in Bayfield, WI. She was the daughter of Conrad and Lucy Shovick and grew up in that community.  Mary graduated from Bayfield High School in 1969 and attended U.W. Superior for two years. Mary married Jerry Cinker September 18, 1971, in Bayfield and after marriage they made their home in Menomonie and raised their family.

Mary started working at Myrtle Werth Hospital in Menomonie and after 10 years at the hospital, Mary spent the rest of her career in the Menomonie School District as the High School Activities Secretary, Accounts Payable Assistant, and Superintendent/Board Secretary. She retired in 2006. Following her retirement she spent many years working at St. Joseph Elementary School. 

Mary had a big heart, loved her family, spending time with them and baking cookies with her grandchildren at Christmas time. She loved staying busy by traveling, going up north to their Cornucopia home, spending time with her many friends in the community. She also loved gardening, garage sales, crocheting, making caramels, playing games and shopping. 

Mary is survived by her husband, Jerry, three children, Rich (Tricia) of Woodbury, MN; Ryan (Shannon) of Lincoln, ND; Kari of Plymouth, MN; two grandchildren, Zadee & Zane; one sister, Susan Defoe; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; as well as three grand ‘fur-kids’, Norvin, Ruffy and Tito. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Shirley, Jean and Elaine; and five brothers, Robert, Richard, Kenneth, John and Larry.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie with Rev. John Mano officiating. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be held at a later date in Cornucopia, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Elementary School and/or the Dunn Co. Humane Society.

Condolences

  1. Terry Petrie

    Sorry to hear about your wife. 5-8-23. Learned today. Wonderful woman, Great High School career. SORRY Jerry.

  2. Victoria & Larry Wibbenmeyer

    Jerry & family, we are so grateful we met and got to know Mary. So sad for all of you, our prayers are with your family. Thank you so much for letting us stay at your home in Corny. We will miss her. Larry & Vicki, Friends of Frank & Sher

  3. Jude Marion

    So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Worked with her at Menomonie HS. She was a good friend.

  4. Dennis Smith

    To Mary’s family and friends, Jill and I send our condolences. She was a wonderful lady. On a scale from 1-10 she was a 20. RIP Mary.

  5. Bill and Mike Neuenfeldt

    We were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary was a dear friend to our mother Faye for over 40 years including in Faye’s final years when she struggled with dementia. Mike and I fondly remember our days as neighbors on Timber Trail where Mary was always full of smiles, energy and joy. You could always count on Mary to help out with anything at anytime. Our hearts go out to the entire Cinker family. Mary will be so missed. We will be making a donation to St. Joseph’s school in Mary’s name.

  6. Cathy Jahner

    We are so sorry for the family’s loss. Mary was a sweetheart with a genuine heart. How happy her siblings must have been when they greeted her at heaven’s gate. May she know how much she was loved on earth. And May she continue to watch over her family from the best seat, heaven.

  7. Alicia Hartung Duerst

    Mary has been a part of my life since before I can remember. She has been a part of every major life event and will be dearly missed. Her humor and joy brought a wonderful light to the world.

  8. Ranie Smeltzer

    My deepest sympathies to the entire Cinker Family on your loss. Sending love and keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. ????❤️????????

  9. Vickie Haglund

    Our condolences to the family. My son, Ben, knew her from St Joe’s and enjoyed seeing her in Cornucopia. Truly a wonderful person who will be missed. May God bless you all.

  10. Gail Roberts

    I am shocked and heartbroken....praying that ALL of you feel God's love and comfort ❤️ ????????

  11. Nancy Steinmeyer

    You have our deepest sympathy on the loss of Mary. Thoughts and prayers ????

  12. Robin & Mike Shay

    We were saddened to hear about Mary’s death. Our Grandma Shay babysat the Cinker kids for several years, and Mary was such a fun lady. Our condolences to Jerry and the family.

  13. Peggy Richartz

    I got to know Mary when I worked for the Athletic Department. She was the best co-worker you could ever ask for. Always had a smile on her face, and brightened your day. Great sense of humor and personality. She was also a great asset to St. Joseph school and church. My heart goes out to her family.

  14. Kathi Lehmann

    To Mary's family,

    It's with a sad heart I send my sympathy. A few of us had lunch with Mary just before her recent trip to the Holy Land. The laughs that day will be a lasting memory!

    I worked with Mary during the two different times she worked at the district office as an executive assistant to the superintendent and district administrator. She was such a joy to work with, but it was evident that Mary's family came first; thus, her transferring to the job of secretary to the activities director at the high school in order to spend more time with her family in the summer.

    I'll never forget the day she brought her blender to work and made an Orange Julius for everyone--that was Mary, always helping/sharing to everyone!

    Jerry and family, may your faith allow you to experience the "one set of footprints in the sand."

    Kathi Lehmann

  15. Jean Price

    I knew Mary through volunteering at the Humane Society thrift sale. She was a wonderful lady. Sympathy to her family and friends. Jean Price

  16. Angela Krause-Kuchta

    Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I was blessed to get to know Mary when I started at MHS in 1997. I appreciated Mary's smile and willingness to help a new teacher. After her retirement, I always looked forward to seeing Mary, and catching up, at Corny Day, where she again produced a smile and kind word while working at the fish sandwich stand in support of the Cornucopia Fire Department. She will be missed!

  17. John H Abraham

    I also taught at MHS and worked with Mary. She was absolutely an amazing person and a very hard worker. She was missed a lot when she moved to the ASC.
    Condolences to her family.

  18. Laura Wahl

    So sorry for your loss. We will keep the family in our prayers.

  19. Jesse Harness

    Vonnie and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Mary's passing. I was fortunate to have known Mary & Jerry and to have worked with Mary at the Administrative Service Center for the School District of the Menomonie Area. Mary was extremely knowledgeable about the community and the school district in Menomonie. I consulted her often before making many difficult decisions, and her guidance served me and the district well. I especially enjoyed her energy, her happy demeanor and her positive outlook on life. I will miss the times the staff at the ASC had lunch together. We had great fun! We will miss her dearly.

  20. Diana Weber

    Mary was such a beautiful person. She took such amazing care of my children when she was at St. Joe's.

  21. Barbara Shannon

    So sorry for your loss.

  22. Kathi Lehmann

    To Mary's family,

    It's with a sad heart I send my sympathy. A few of us had lunch with Mary just before her recent trip to the Holy Land. The laughs that day will be a lasting memory!

    I worked with Mary during the two different times she worked at the district office as an executive assistant to the superintendent and district administrator. She was such a joy to work with, but it was evident that Mary's family came first; thus, her transferring to the job of secretary to the activities director at the high school in order to spend more time with her family in the summer.

    I'll never forget the day she brought her blender to work and made an Orange Julius for everyone--that was Mary, always helping/sharing to everyone!

    Jerry and family, may your faith allow you to experience the "one set of footprints ???? in the sand."

    Kathi Lehmann

  23. Corey Davis

    I will always remember Mary as the activities secretary at Menomonie High School. When I started teaching and coaching ('97), Mary was a godsend. She was always willing to answer questions and bend over backwards to help a young teacher/coach. I would not have survived my first couple seasons without the patient help and guidance Mary provided. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and witnessed her smile and giving heart.

    Blessed thoughts and prayers to the Cinker Family.

  24. Joanne Keays

    I am so sorry to learn of Mary's passing. My heart breaks for the whole Cinker family.
    Please accept my condolences.

    I worked with Mary when she was employed at Menomonie High School. She was such an energetic and upbeat person. She was a delight to be around whether at work, in church activities, or around town.

    May our Heavenly Father give you comfort in your sorrow.

    Much love,
    Joanne

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