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Mary Shepard Obituary
Born in Biwabik, MN, on November 27, 1950, she was the middle child of three children. Mary Beth graduated from Gilbert High School in 1968 and paid her way through college at St. Cloud State University, earning a degree in teaching.
She met her husband of 47 years, Brooks Shepard, in May 1978, and they married in October of the same year. They had three sons: Zachary, Jacob "Silas", and Jesse. Mary Beth stayed home to raise her boys until 1990. She then worked as a substitute teacher for local schools in the winter and at the Soudan Underground Mine in the summer. She found her full-time career of 25 years with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, retiring in 2015.
Mary Beth loved to travel and was always the first to encourage her friends and family to stay active. She took up golf in retirement and was known to have scored a birdie or two. She also loved to do water aerobics, watch movies at the local theatre, and watch live music at the Tiki deck. She was very active with her friends, either golfing, attending concerts and plays, traveling in the countryside, and sometimes out of the country. When her grandchildren were born (offspring of Jesse and Holly (Bondensteiner) Shepard), she did everything she could to see them, buy them gifts, and fill her phone with pictures. Bodie and John were the grandkids that she had wanted for so long. She was so very proud of her three sons.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Elizabeth "Liz" Klobuchar, and her older brother, Mark Klobuchar. She is survived by her husband, Brooks, and her three sons, Zach Shepard, J. Silas (Amy) Shepard, and Jesse (Holly) Shepard, her grandchildren, Bodie and John, and her sister, Becky (Denny) Bone. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gloria, her nephews, Garret (Morgan) Bone, Joe (Sarah) Berry, and nieces, Mallory (Bone) Paul Skalko, Lauren and Shelby Klobuchar.
Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on May 31, 2025 at the Grand Ely Lodge.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Shepard
Sponsored by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home - Gilbert.
michael j bilas
May 29, 2025
Very sorry to hear about Mary Beth. My Summers up in Gilbert as a child were made much better with her as a cousin. We always had a fun time.
Georgia Applegate
May 25, 2025
Mary Beth has always been the fun part of my life since I was a little kid. My parents would bring my brother and me to MN to visit Grandma and the whole MN family every summer. That meant lots of fun playing for all of us cousins.
We fell out of touch during the busy part of life, raising families, careers, etc. and distance as I moved to CA, then OR while she and Brooks stayed in MN.
Then later we got back in touch though Facebook, visits, and family events. She and Becky convinced Dave and me to go to Europe to see where our grandparents were from---my first trip. More fun!
We are connected by so many things, blood, illness, travel, fun. I already miss her.
I am adding a picture of myself, my brother, Michael, and her brother, Mark. She and Becky would have been too young to be in the picture.
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Joan Filson
May 23, 2025
I’ve only know Mary Beth through the Ely Women’s Golf league but have really enjoyed her company. I think of her and her enthusiasm for all the many activities she was involved in. We’ve attended Tasty Tuesdays at the community center, discussed recipes. & golfed many times over the three years I’ve known her. I will truly miss her. I pray for her family & Hope all of the memories & prayers of friends & family will comfort you all at this sad time.
Mary Jo (Gregorich) Aleman
May 22, 2025
I have known Mary and Becky for many years. I was the same age as Mary graduating in 1968. I would run into her while shopping. My prayers and thoughts to her family.
Mike Korpi
May 21, 2025
I express my deepest sympathy to her family. I worked with Mary Beth at the Soudan Mine. She was always fun to work with and joyful.
Mike Korpi
Marcy White
May 20, 2025
My deepest sympathy, Brooks and family. Mary Beth was a great person. She always had a smile for everyone. I worked with Mary Beth for many years at Revenue. I have a lot of great memories of working with her. She will be missed.
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Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home - Gilbert108 Broadway P.O. Box 309, Gilbert, MN 55741
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