Mary Sikorski

Mary Julia Sikorski was born to Clarence and Phyllis (Leinen) Schmit on November 14, 1941. She was the 2nd of 8 children and the oldest of 5 daughters. Mary and her siblings were raised on the family farm located on the outskirts of Fairmount, ND. As a youngster, she attended the country school in the area, but in 6th grade began attending Fairmount K-12 public school. Mary enjoyed being a cheerleader and playing the saxophone in the high school band. 

Soon after graduation, Mary began working in Wahpeton, but later decided she wanted to give the big city a try. She moved to St. Paul with some high school friends and took a job at Farmers Union headquarters, where she worked as a bookkeeper. It was in St. Paul where Mary reconnected with Dan Sikorski. Dan was born and raised in Fairmount, and the two of them were friendly during their high school years. Dan and Mary dated and then tied the knot. A year later, their first son, Scot,t was born. Four years after their 2nd son, Jeff was born. During their years together, the family moved several times, once as far away as Massachusetts. Their longest time was spent in Scottsbluff, NE, where their boys attended high school and graduated.

Mary had many jobs throughout the years; working in restaurants, banks, schools, and newspapers; she even ran a grocery store with her husband. She loved fashion and beauty and was always well put together and a tasteful dresser. At one point, after becoming a beautician, she ran her own hair salon. She spent many years working for Herberger’s in Scottsbluff and then again in St. Paul. One of her favorite things to do was take her granddaughter, Hope, shopping for new clothes. Hope would always put on a fashion show for her grandma, modeling her new outfits they had picked out together. Mary had many interests and enjoyed learning new things, even joining a two-step dance group. She loved to shop and was a generous gift-giver. She knew how to wrap a package so beautifully that the receiver of the gift didn’t want to open it. Then, to up her present wrapping game, she even took a class to learn how to make ribbon bows. Those bows were so beautiful, sometimes they were even more special than the gift that had been so thoughtfully wrapped.

Mary enjoyed traveling, especially to see family. She loved getting together with her siblings, her sons, and hanging out with friends. She was present at all her Granddaughter’s choir concerts, musicals, and programs, and proudly proclaimed that someday, Hope would be a famous singer/performer. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Vikings, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the MN Twins, and attending many Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx games with her sisters Rita, Dolores, and her husband, Rich. Rita was a faithful companion to Mary. The two sisters often would hang out at each other’s homes, participate in Mary’s favorite pastime, shopping, and go to the movies with family friend Jane quite regularly.

Mary had a strong, devout faith in the Lord. She was gifted with a kind, gentle spirit. Her love for her children, grandchildren, family, and friends was only eclipsed by the love she had for Jesus. Her family will miss her thoughtfulness, kindness, generosity, her laugh, warm hugs, the sparkle in her eye, and the way her smile could light up a room. She was a wonderful mom, grandmother, sister, and friend. The world has one less sparkle, but Heaven rejoices that she’s home, healed and whole.

Mary Julia Sikorski passed into the loving arms of Jesus on August 29, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Janice and Dianne, (husband Ray), brother-in-law Richard, great nieces (most recently Catherine), and nephews, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

She will be deeply missed by her sons Scott (Barb Basset), Jeff (Jen) Sikorski, granddaughter Hope, step-granddaughters Kelsey (Mike) Tyner, Courtney Jones, step-great granddaughter Peyton, siblings Roger (Shirley) Schmit, Rita Schmit, Dolores Lysne, Dan (Jan) Schmit, Dave (Mayre-Lynn) Schmit and numerous (great) nieces, nephews and special friends Tom and Cleo.

A mass will be held in her honor on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fairmount, ND. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Monsignor Brian Donahue will officiate.