Agnes Marie Majerek, 97, of Niles, Michigan, passed away on January 23, 2026. Marie was born in Hammond, Indiana on April 27, 1928, to the late Anastashia and Andrew Sabat.
After graduating high school, Marie went to a technical school in Chicago and became a receptionist for the Chicago Daily News. She met her husband, Thaddeus (Ted) Majerek at a dance and from then on they became the perfect dancing partners. They married on October 22, 1949, in Calumet City, Indiana. Together they had eight children. She moved with Ted to Niles, Michigan in 1958 when they bought the Swartz News Agency.
Marie was an artist. She loved to draw, paint, create, and decorate. She was in charge of events such as school functions and charity balls, always creating the backdrops and scenery for these events.
She belonged to many organizations such as Psi Iota Xi, Service League, Book and Bridge Clubs. She was the Cub Scout Den Mother and was very involved in St Mary’s School and Church. She was the first woman President of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, was a Rotary member and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship and the Athena International Award for Leadership. She was one of the original founders of the Niles Apple Festival and Community Showboat Productions. Marie was a good seamstress and made many of the costumes and decorations for shows.
Marie travelled often with her husband, spending Winters in Venice, Florida, where she loved to golf, play bridge and hand and foot. She was an avid reader and had a large collection of recipe books.
While she was raising her children, she would buy run down houses to restore and rent out. She owned M & T Enterprises, her own rental business. She started the gift shop section in Majerek’s book stores and founded the first antique mall in Southwest Michigan, the Four Flags Antique Mall in the old Montgomery Ward buildings in 1982.
Marie was full of ambition and love. She had a strong will and determined spirit. She was the best Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and friend.
Marie is survived by her children, Tad Majerek of Niles, Mike (Kelle) Majerek of Niles, Jeannie (Mike) Gilbert of Buchanan, Jeff (Merilyn Patterson) Majerek of Elkhart, Debbie (Al) Shirrell of Granger, Dave (Sue) Majerek of Niles, Anita Majerek of Niles, and Tom (Cyndi Hiland) Majerek of Niles; twenty-four grandchildren, Halley Shults, Jessica West Saenz, Shannon Toman Antipov, Kati Wyman, Jennifer Gilbert Howell, Stacey Gilbert Brook, Christia Toman, Angelene Majerek Lord, Willow Wyman, Matthew Majerek, Amanda Gilbert Buck, Maegan Wyman, David Majerek II, Christian Majerek, Mallory Majerek, Sarah Majerek Witkowski, Scott Majerek, T.J. Majerek, Stephanie Majerek Ray, Chad Majerek, Jordan Majerek, Jack Majerek and Ryan Majerek; twenty-eight great-grandchildren, Ashton Brook, Pasha Antipov, Maddison Brook, Jayli Wyman, Misha Antipov, Logan Hood, Ella Lujan, Khloe Dehart, Anya Antipov, Phillip Howell, Bryce Hood, Daxton Howell, Kash Toman, Phillip Lord III, Piper Buck, Hank Buck, Jax Lujan, Daylen Lujan, Charlee Wyman, Tanner Lord, Braxton Thomas, Hudson Ray, Aiden Ray, Kate Witkowski, Miles Witowski and Annika Lord.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Majerek, her sisters, Virginia Vargo, Fran Emrey and Theresa, her brother, Chester Sabat, and her, grandson Stevie Toman.
A visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on June 6, from 10:00am to 11:00am, with mass being held immediately following.
Burial will take place following services at Calvary Cemetery.
A luncheon will be held after graveside services at St. Mary’s Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Church and The Niles Apple Festival.
Services
Visitation
Saturday, June 6, 2026 10:00AM – 11:00AM
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 219 S. State St. Niles, MI 49120
Visitation prior to mass.
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, June 6, 2026 11:00AM
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church,219 S. State St. Niles, MI 49120
Mass held immediately following visitation.
Graveside Service
Saturday, June 6, 2026 12:00PM – 12:30PM
Calvary Cemetery Chicago Road Niles, MI 49120
Posted On: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 4:05 PM
