After a life of love and quiet grace, Marcella Theresa Kazmierczak of Stephen, MN has passed.
The chapters of her life were many; these are some of them.
Marcella spent her working life as ['the North Star Cafe', 'West Publishing', 'Coast-to-Coast'] and held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Those who live by belief leave a different kind of mark.
Marcella Kazmierczak, 82, of Stephen, MN, died peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Villa St. Vincent of Crookston.
Marcella Theresa "Marcie" Nowacki was born on May 16, 1943, in Argyle, MN, to Arnold and Theresa (Przekwas) Nowacki. The second of seven children, Marcie was raised on the family farm where she learned about hard work and hospitality from a young age; these two ideals would serve her well the rest of her days. She graduated from Argyle High School in 1961 and worked at the North Star Cafe. She met Timothy Kazmierczak at Strandquist's dance hall and the young couple were married on April 27, 1963, in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Alma Twp.
Soon after, the young couple moved to St. Paul, where Marcie worked at West Publishing, packaging and mailing law books. Two children followed in short order, and by 1966 the family was living in Thief River Falls, MN. Marcie continued to work and be hospitable as ever at both Johnnie's Cafe and Kife's Cafe (for 14 years). Later, she was a dishwasher at St. Bernard's school and for a time owned the roller rink just north along the highway. She was known for putting on huge thanksgiving dinners at the roller rink for anyone who didn't have someplace else to go, and pulling out the stops at large family gatherings with the Nowackis and Kazmierczaks. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and embroidering, giving away as gifts the many dishtowels and pillowcases she made with love over the years.
In 1982, Marcie and Tim moved to Stephen. In addition to raising the children, Marcie worked at Coast-to-Coast, delivered the Herald, and operated her very own Marcie's Cafe and Marcie's Coffee Shop. She operated her own catering business, offered "Marcie's Ribs" at the Legion, was head cook at the school for a time, and even drove the school bus. She volunteered with the Stephen Ambulance, sang in the choir at Church, and was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
In all of this, she worked hard, was eager to help out, made time to take care of others, and always had a meal on the table. Despite a career in food service, it is a great irony that she was never in the kitchen growing up: Tim taught her how to cook, and she became excellent at it! Together, the two enjoyed regular polka dances at the Florian Hall, taking off right where they started on the dance floor. Marcie took a quiet pride in her children's accomplishments, and was always up for a game of pinochle- especially with her sons.
Marcie is survived by four of her six children, Deb (Les Fleischman) Kazmierczak, Scott (Jennifer) Kazmierczak, Wayne (Amanda) Kazmierczak, and Brian (Meghan) Kazmierczak; son-in-law, Carl Troska; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Suzanne Wilkerson, Dolores (Norman) St. Germain, Bob (Phyllis) Nowacki, John (Alison) Nowacki, Arnette (Kenneth) Borowicz, and Mark (Julie) Nowacki; and fair handful of nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, many of whom were like children to her.
In addition to her husband, Tim, who died on July 18, 2003, she was preceded in death by her son, Arnold Kazmierczak, and daughter, Connie Troska.
Donations given in memory of Marcie will be donated locally by her family.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10:30 AM, in St. Stephen Catholic Church, Stephen, MN. VISITATION: Sunday evening, May 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM; Rosary 5:45 PM; Prayer Service 6:00 PM; and one hour prior to Mass. INTERMENT: Next to her husband, Timothy, in St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery.
