Mary Patricia Dwyer

MARY PATRICIA DWYER, age 92 of Le Center, passed away surrounded by the love of her family at her home on the evening of Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Mary was born in New Prague on November 17, 1933, to parents Joseph and Adeline (Svoboda) Tikalsky. She attended school in New Prague and following her high school graduation, continued her education at St. Scholastica in Duluth where she studied nursing. On October 26, 1957, Mary was united in marriage to Eugene H. Dwyer at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague until she elected to remain home to raise her growing family. That decision was one that she valued greatly (as do her children) and it allowed her to spend later years keeping the books for her husband’s plumbing and heating business, which she also enjoyed.

Mary was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Originally recruited by Sister Florisita, she spent over 60 years as a choir member and 52 years as the church organist. During her musical tenure she often sang Czech hymns in their original language. She showed her love of Le Center through decades of volunteerism, leadership, and talent. Organizations that were positively impacted by her gifts included the St. Mary’s Council of Catholic Women as well as the church’s funeral committee and parish festival committee, the Le Center VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, the Le Center School Board as well as the River Valley Conference School Board, the American Red Cross, and Central Health Care in Le Center. She and Gene were honored as Grand Marshals of the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She enjoyed cooking for her family, gardening, attending community events, following sports and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Through decades of giving she made many lasting friendships, and her family is deeply grateful for the love, support, and friendship that the people of Le Center returned to her throughout her life.

Mary is survived by her seven children, Bill (Kristine) of Scottsdale, AZ, Tom (Deb) of Le Center, Gene (Diana) of Le Sueur, Paul (Natalee) of Hibbing, Stephen (Sheila) of Woodbury, Ann (Koen) Bastiaens of Excelsior, and Peter (Mary) of Woodbury; as well as twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband of 53 years; sister, Adeline Malecha; and two brothers, Matthew and Joseph Tikalsky.

A Rosary service will begin Mary’s 4:00-7:00 p.m. visitation on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Le Center Chapel of Schoenbauer Funeral Homes. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, Mary’s 93rd birthday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Le Center.