Mary Ellen Bemowski, 94

Mary Ellen Bemowski, of Stevens Point, passed away at home on July 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 94.

Mary Ellen was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Amherst, Wis., the daughter of the late Marcus and Valeria (Kubisiak) Newton. When she was young, her family moved to Phillips, Wis., and later returned to settle in the Stevens Point area when Mary Ellen was a teenager. She graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School with the Class of 1950.

After high school, Mary Ellen joined the workforce, working at Weber Tackle Company. During her time there, she met Henry “Hank” Bemowski. Mary Ellen soon realized he was the love of her life, and on Sept. 28, 1953, Hank and Mary Ellen were united in marriage at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point. During their 72 years of marriage, they welcomed seven children. Once they started a family, Mary Ellen became a homemaker, raising the children and making a loving and comfortable home for her family. She built her life around the people she loved most, holding family above all else. Equally as important was her faith. She was an active member of St. Stanislaus (now Holy Spirit) Catholic Church, serving on the Sacred Worship Committee, Rosary Society and Birth Right.

Mary Ellen was artistic by nature. She enjoyed creating art using watercolors and oil paints. She was a member of the Stevens Point Art League and participated in Art in the Park for many years. She was excited to share her love of art and found great joy in teaching painting at the Lincoln Center. She also enjoyed crocheting, working in her rock gardens and, later in life, trips to the casino. For many years, Mary Ellen held a part-time job at JCPenney, which brought her great joy and many friendships.

Above all else, Mary Ellen’s family was central to her life. In her mind, all were welcome, and she loved large family gatherings. Those who knew and loved her will forever hold memories of her telling stories and cracking jokes; she always had a good joke on hand.

Mary Ellen is survived by her beloved husband, Hank; her children, Tom Bemowski, John (Cheryl) Bemowski, Guy Bemowski, Bonnie (John) Charles, David (Patty) Bemowski, Michael Bemowski and Becky (Tim) Pazdra; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Marchita Polum, Tom Newton, Dorothy Semple and Rachael Torpy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Valeria Newton; a grandson, Ted Pazdra; her siblings, Marcus “Bud” Newton and Diane Zager; and her lifelong friend, Corrine Montgomery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and CNAs at Aspirus Hospice Services for the exceptional care Mary Ellen received.

For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the family for a donation to a charity to be determined at a later date.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2151 Stanley St., Stevens Point. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St., Stevens Point, with a general rosary at 7 p.m., and again at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday. Burial will follow at Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.

Shuda Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.