Marla Jean Gmach, 69, died Wednesday, at her home after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Marla was born Nov. 4, 1950 in Mankato to parents Floyd and Dorothy (Ziegler) Bedbury. On July 25th, 1970, she married Gene Gmach. The couple settled in St. Michael and had three children, Jennifer, Matthew and Kristyn.
The couple has nine grandchildren, who were the light of her world.
She was a favorite at Dehn’s Country Manor, where she waitressed for decades. She also worked for 15 years as part of the kitchen staff in the St. Michael-Albertville School District. Above all, she was a homemaker, mother and grandmother who was renowned for her loving, compassionate and caring personality. She took great joy in caring for others and spending time with family and friends.
She enjoyed fishing and boating at the family and cabin on Knife Lake, reading, keeping up with family and traveling with Gene and friends. But her greatest joy was her grandchildren and spending time with them and friends and family at the lake.
She and Gene were faithful members of St. Michael Catholic Church.
Marla Gmach
She is survived by her children: Jennifer (Michael) Schoemer, St. Michael; Matthew Gmach, Monticello; and Kristyn (Scott) Hasse, Monticello; her grandchildren: Kamden, Mattie and Ellie Schoemer, St. Michael; Quentin, Levi and Alexander Gmach, Monticello; and Olive, Stella and Lucas Hasse, Monticello.
She’s also survived by her siblings: Wayne (Mavis) Anderson, Mankato; Judy (John) Brady, McGregor; Charles “Butch” Bedbury, St. Francis; Carmen (Richard) Wood, Plymouth; and Paula Gehrke, Plymouth; also survived by many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Dorothy, her sister, Cheryl Christian, and her Mini-Yorkie, Leo.
Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 at St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Michael, Minnesota.
A visitation will be held at the funeral home Wednesday, November 20th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Peterson Chapel, St. Michael, Minnesota, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Further visitation will be at the church on Thursday, Nov. 21, one hour and a half prior to Mass.
Interment will be at St. Michael Cemetery, St. Michael.
Memorials can be made to Chad Smith Ride for Life, 10271 Karston Ave. NE, Albertville, MN 55301. Please write “Marla Gmach” in the memo.
Arrangements by Peterson Chapel – St. Michael.