Elsie M. Marek, age 97 of East Grand Forks, MN, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Valley Eldercare, Grand Forks, ND.

Elsie Marie Marek was born on March 31, 1922 in rural East Grand Forks, MN the daughter of Rudolph and Mary (Gust) Vonasek. She grew up in rural East Grand Forks and attended Country School. On July 16, 1942 she was united in marriage to Melvin Marek at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Tabor, MN. Elsie dedicated most of her early years as a homemaker. Her cooking and baking were world class, as her home was filled with lots of great smells, which included Kolache, tea rings, fresh bread and her famous apple pie. As her children left the house for school, she was employed in the Sacred Heart Lunch program for many years. Elsie loved raising flowers, and she could bring any abused flower back to life, brimming with color. Her favorite flower was the African Violet which she learned to care for from her mother.  Elsie was a loving, dedicated mother, who lived a simple life. Her life was grounded in her Catholic faith, with a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the rosary.

Family members that survive Elsie in include her children, Irene Knott of Mound, MN, Elaine (James) Mason of East Grand Forks, MN, Dennis (Marie) Marek of Kent, WA, Michael (Julie) Marek of East Grand Forks, MN, Darlyne (Kevin) Hollands of Fisher, MN and Darryl Marek of Grand Forks, ND; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Mary Vonasek; husband, Melvin Marek on February 20, 1998; brothers, Henry and Leonard Vonasek; sisters, Emily Brda and Helen Novak and son-in-law, Gus Knott.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Melvin and Elsie Marek and family Scholarship Fund, 200 3 ^rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 3 ^rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN.

Rosary Service: 4:30 PM on Monday, August 26, 2019 in Dahl Funeral Home.

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service on Monday, August 26, 2019 in Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave. NW, East Grand Forks, MN and also 1 Hour Prior Funeral Mass on Tuesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.