Mary Ann Bambenek

Mary Ann (Papenfuss) Bambenek, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, died on February 22, 2026 at United Hospital in St Paul, MN at the age of 90 following a battle with glioblastoma brain cancer. She was born on November 19, 1935 to Victor and Margaret (Hennessey) Papenfuss in Winona, Minnesota. Mary Ann graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1953. She grew up on a farm and was an active member of the Wilson Fire Flies 4-H club in Winona County which provided many positive experiences and gave her a strong work ethic. She attended Saint Teresa College in Winona and graduated in 1957 with bachelors degrees in math and physics.

Mary Ann lived most of her twenties in downtown Minneapolis. She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis and became the first woman to earn the title of engineer at the company. Mary Ann was a member of the Junior Catholic League, lived at the Pillsbury Club, was a parishioner at St. Olaf’s Church, and met her future husband through the Dominic Club. Mary Ann resigned from Northwestern Bell in December 1969 to become a homemaker and faith volunteer.

Mary Ann married Jerome (Jerry) Bambenek on June 17, 1967 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, MN. In 1969 they moved from the Twin Cities to Hastings, MN and remained there. In Hastings, Mary Ann became involved at St. Boniface Church in various ways including Christian Mothers, pre-school religion, and Teams of Our Lady. She also volunteered with organizations related to her children’s schools and other youth activities. As her children grew into adulthood, Mary Ann remained incredibly supportive and present in their lives and in the lives of her grandchildren. When the Eucharistic Adoration program began at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish she became the coordinator and remained in that role for 31 years which involved many detailed, behind the scenes tasks. Mary Ann was extremely grateful for all the wonderful dedicated Adoration pray-ers.

Mary Ann accepted life with a positive and grateful outlook grounded in her deep faith and her great dedication to her family. She saw the best in other people and believed in the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Mary Ann and Jerry were blessed to travel together to all 50 states and internationally to 14 countries including religious sites in Mexico City, Fatima, Lourdes, Medjugorje, Rome and two pilgrimages to the Holy Land. She lived a remarkably active life until the cancer struck a month before her 90th birthday.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband Jerome, son Father Joseph in St Paul and daughter Catherine (John) Santini in Chanhassen, MN. Grandchildren Alexandra (John Nicholas) Orantes, Matthew, Margaret and Zachary, and an unborn great grandchild. Also, by her brother Gerald (Patrica) Papenfuss, sister Carol Runger, sister-in-law Rosalyn Bambenek, and many nephews and nieces and their families.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Victor and Margaret Papenfuss, in-laws Vincent and Sophie Bambenek, Donald Runger, Robert Galligan, Roger Bambenek, and Joann and Lyle Ziegeweid, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father Joseph Bambenek officiating. Private family interment will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Pine Creek, WI at a later date.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a vigil service at 6:45 p.m., at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. The visitation will continue from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday as well, and a luncheon will follow the Mass, all at church.

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.