Sylvara “Sally” O’Malley, 85, of Benson
Mass of Christian Burial for Sally O’Malley was held on Monday, July 7, 2014, at 11:00 AM, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton. Father William Sprigler was Celebrant of the Mass. Organist was Della Conroy and Cantor was Sister Kay Fernholz.
Casketbearers were Jeremy Anspach, Jared O’Malley, Kristi Mesenbrink, Justin O’Malley, Amy O’Malley, and Jacob Mokszycke. Honorary Bearers were all other grandchildren and great-grandchildren, St. John’s Altar and Rosary Society, and Home 2 Home Volunteers. Interment was in St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery at DeGraff, Minnesota.
Sylvara Evangeline O’Malley was born April 24, 1929 in Benson to Henry and Estella (Ecklund) Schirmer. She was baptized July 7, 1929 and confirmed May 28, 1944 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Sally attended country school at District #93 and graduated from Benson High School in 1947.
After graduation she worked as a telephone operator in Benson and also as a cashier and bookkeeper for J. C. Penney in Benson. On June 16, 1951, she was married to Francis O’Malley at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff. After their marriage Sally worked very hard raising their eight children and caring for a large garden and her flowers. They farmed north of DeGraff for several years and then they moved to the farm on Artichoke Lake in 1966. In 1999 after they retired from farming, they moved into Appleton. Francis died on March 23, 2003.
Sally was very involved with community projects. She began volunteering at the Clothing Room in Appleton in 1986 and became supervisor in 1993. In 1997, the Clothing Room was relocated to main street in Appleton and was renamed Home 2 Home. At that time Sally was the treasurer for the board. She also volunteered at the Senior Nutrition Site in Appleton for many years. At church she was in charge of the bakes sales for the Altar & Rosary Society for over 25 years and remained faithful to this group as long as she was able. She received the Bishop’s Medal of Service in 1996 from Bishop Lucker for over 25 years of working for the community and the church. Sally enjoyed reading, gardening, playing cards and spending time with her family and friends. She was well known for her cooking, baking and making homemade jam from her raspberry and strawberry patch.
Sally died on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Swift County-Benson Hospital. She had attained 85 years, 2 months, and 7 days of age.
Surviving are her children: Dennis O’Malley (Teresa Wood) of Rochester, Diane (Don) Anspach of Morris, Duane (Donna) O’Malley of Montevideo, Debra (Scott) Mokszycke of Ramsey, Daniel (Brenda) O’Malley of Sauk Rapids, Donna O’Malley of Hazel Run, Darla (Terry) Polzin of Richfield; 14 grandchildren: Genia O’Malley, Jared O’Malley, Justin O’Malley, Angeline O’Malley, Jeremy Anspach, Kyle Anspach, Amy O’Malley, Jacob Mokszycke, Mya Mokszycke, Alicia O’Malley, Kristi Mesenbrink, Cole O’Malley, Courtney O’Malley, and Isabella Polzin; 7 great-grandchildren: Sylas O’Malley, Gavin Mesenbrink, Teyton Mesenbrink, Brandon Miller, Ryan Miller, Paige Miller, and Sophie Miller; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francis; her son, David; two grandsons: Jason and Matthew O'Malley; two sisters: Eleanor Christenson and Loretta Jacobson; and three brothers: Harold, Raymond, and Chester Schirmer.
