Maria Katherina Stanek was born October 15, 1907 at Naper, Nebraska to Alvin and Christina (Maertins) Kahler and she died June 2, 2005 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 17 days.

Maria grew up in the Naper, Nebraska and Herrick, South Dakota area. She was united in marriage to Gotlieb (Bill) Schock on December 26, 1926 and to this union four children were born. They spent many years farming in the Burke and Naper areas. After 40 years of marriage, Bill passed away on December 31, 1966.

Maria worked as a cook and custodian at the Naper Public School. She was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Naper and was a lifetime member of the Naper VFW Auxiliary.

On July 10, 1972, she was united in marriage to Richard Stanek. They remained in Naper until 2001, when they moved to Burke due to health reasons.

Maria is survived by her husband, Richard of Burke, SD; her children and their spouses: Donald (Delores) Schock of Naper, NE; Vivian Alexander of Kearney, NE; Neita (Wayne) Andersen of Venice, FL; and Phyllis (Melvin) Schrader of Lusk, WY; ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Naper, Nebraska. Burial will be in the Baptist Cemetery, rural Naper. There will be a prayer service on Monday at 7:30 PM at the Church. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to both services at the Church.