Mary Margaret Cestkowski

WATERSMEET, Mich. - Mary Margaret Cestkowski, 92, long-time resident of Watersmeet, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. She was born Mary Margaret Gorshe on Feb. 26, 1933, in L'Anse, Michigan, to Joseph and Myrtle Gorshe. They later moved to Kenton and then Watersmeet, where she graduated from high school in 1950. After graduation, she moved to Detroit to work as a secretary at Plymouth Motors. In Detroit, she connected with and married a fellow Watersmeet resident, John (Jack) Cestkowski, on Dec. 7, 1953, who was working as a Detroit police officer. They moved back to Watersmeet where they raised their four children.

Mary was a homemaker and later worked as a waitress. She enjoyed playing bingo and was an avid knitter and taught knitting for 4-H. She and Jack enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Later in life she volunteered at the Watersmeet food pantry. She faithfully attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, of nearly 59 years in 2011, and by her grandson, Jacob Peterson in 1998. She leaves behind her children, Theresa (Jeff) Peterson, Patty (David Dickson) Dreher, son John, and Missy (Roger) Behnke. She had five grandchildren, Christopher and Jacob Peterson, Daniel and Dana Dreher, and Nicholas Behnke; and six great-grandchildren, Ethan, Kaylee, Carson, Riley, Katherine and Sloane. She has several surviving nieces and nephews.

A Catholic Mass and burial and celebration of life will be held in the spring as weather allows. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her name made either to the Watersmeet Food Pantry, or to the Rennes Care Facility Activities Department, 1970 Navajo St., Rhinelander, WI 54501, as they were wonderful about keeping Mary engaged, active, and in bingo winnings during her short residency at their facility.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.