Mary Elizabeth Schaak age 85, of Tower, MN, formerly of Bloomington, MN passed away peacefully with her husband Bernie at her side on September 15, 2024.  Mary was born on December 17, 1938, to Dr. Severin H. Koop and Helen (Sehl) Koop and grew up in Richmond, MN.

On July 15, 1961, she married Bernard “Bernie” Schaak in Richmond, MN.  Mary and Bernie lived in St. Louis Park before moving to Bloomington where they raised their family and eventually retired to their lake home on Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN.

Mary loved her family with all her heart, her grandchildren were especially the light of her life.  She especially enjoyed family time at the lake and the holidays with all the chaos that it brought.  She was so excited to be a great grandmother but unfortunately missed the birth of her first great grandchild by 2 days.

Mary is survived by her husband, Bernie of Tower; her children, Anne Schaak of Bloomington, Lisa Plessel (Dan) of Coon Rapids and, Christopher Schaak (Gretchen), of New Hope and 7 grandchildren; Matthew Plessel, Alexandra Olson (Brodie), Nicholas Plessel, Timothy Plessel, Samantha Plessel, Liam Schaak and Dillon Schaak and great granddaughter Delaney Olson; and her sister Peg Wacloff of Sun Lakes, AZ.

Mary is preceded in death by her son Michael, her parents, sister Helen “Trixie” and her brothers Severin, Nicholas, and John.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, October 3. 11:00am-2:00pm at Jones-Harrison Residence, 3700 Cedar Lake Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55416.