Mary Ann "Maryann" Steil

Mary Ann “Maryann” Steil, age 58 of Melrose, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at her home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 11 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.

Mary Ann Steil was born on April 24, 1963, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was committed to State Guardianship on May 13, 1963. She grew up in St. Cloud and spent time as a child living with Jean Marsolek and her family in their St. Cloud foster home. Maryann then lived in REM in St. Cloud before moving to Melrose in February of 1997 to Quality Care Homes where she lived with the same housemates until her death. She started working at Wacosa in Waite Park in 1984 and then transferred to Wacosa in Sauk Center in 1997 until her retirement.

Maryann was a member of Sauk Centre-Melrose Golden Eagles. She loved going to dances, Special Olympics, bowling and track and field. Going out to eat at McDonald’s for a cheeseburger, French fries and a diet coke was a favorite pastime, along with having her nails done. She also loved watching the Three Stooges, I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.

Survivors include her “family” at Quality Care Homes; her housemates of over 20 years, Mark Welle, Jim Klein, and Steven Krick; caregivers, Michael and Karen Zirbes and family, Dave and Tonia Pyka and family, Kevin and Sarah Athmann and family, Denise Mikkelson; and many other friends at Special Olympics and Wacosa.

Preceded in death by many caregivers and friends.

Special thanks to CentraCare Hospice for their compassionate end of life care they gave Maryann.

Serving as casket bearers will be Dave Pyka, Kevin Athmann, Michael Zirbes, and Ron Butkowski. Cross bearer will be Daniella Pyka and scripture bearer will be Kylie Athmann. Pall bearers will be Denise Mikkelson and Peyton Athmann. Readers will be Kylie Athmann and Sarah Athmann. Gift bearers will be Terry Butkowski and Brianna Pyka. The eulogy will be read by Tonia Pyka.