Marie Kojetin

Marie D. Kojetin, 70, of Willmar, died Sunday, September 19, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM on Thursday, September 23, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Burial will be at 2 PM on Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bechyn. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, September 22, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Marie Dorothy Kojetin was born on August 15, 1940, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Sanger) Malecek. She grew up in the Bechyn community, where her parents had a small country store. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bechyn and graduated from Danube High School. On August 21, 1958, in Bechyn, Marie was united in marriage to John P. Kojetin. They lived and farmed near Bechyn. Marie was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she served on the church board and as a religion teacher. In 1982, they moved to Willmar. From 1987 to 2003, Marie was employed at Rice Care Center in Willmar. She was a current member of the Church of St. Mary in Willmar and was active on various womens committees. Marie enjoyed gardening, sewing and being with her children and grandchildren.

Marie is survived by her children: John (and Jana) Kojetin of Atwater, Helen Pusillo, Lori (and Joe) Ridler, Anne (and Larry) Mehr, all of Willmar, and Tammy (and Mark) Ringger of Sauk Rapids; ten grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; five brothers, Gordon Malecek of Texas, Steve (and Gwyn) Malecek of Hutchinson, James Malecek of Illinois, Bob Malecek of Minneapolis and Rick Malecek of St. Peter; and three sisters, Judy (and Bill) Zaccheo of Waite Park, Diane Wohnoutka of Spicer and Charlene Malecek of Olivia, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John in 2007; an infant daughter, Theresa and an infant brother, Charles Jr..