Marion Ann McKeever, 75, of Schroeder, died on January 18, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.
She was born May 23, 1943 to Walter and Mary (Iola) Wojtysiak in Duluth. Marion grew up in Hovland and graduated from Cook County High School and Duluth Business School. On the day after her graduation, May 3, 1962 she married Roger (Bill) McKeever.
Bill and Marion started McKeever Well Drilling in 1962 with Marion serving as Bill’s business partner, and financial and office manager right up until her passing. In 1980, they purchased property next to their home and opened Satellite’s Country Inn that they operated for 30+ years. Marion’s delicious recipes, especially her fish cakes, fresh breads, Swedish meatballs, and an array of different pies became North Shore favorites.
Marion’s cooking was featured in Minnesota newspapers several times and a stop at Satellite’s Country Inn was a tradition for travelers returning regularly to enjoy her “down home cooking” that was “made from scratch.”
Visitor reviews highlighted her “good quality food” in a “clean, quaint and unpretentious” cafe. Bill and Marion were at each other’s sides every day of their 56 years together – running their businesses, raising their family, and welcoming friends and neighbors into their comfortable restaurant and cabins.
In her free time, Marion enjoyed her grandchildren, playing cribbage, knitting, and crocheting. She also supported Birch Grove Community School, where she sponsored fishcake suppers, donating all proceeds to the school. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Silver Bay.
She is survived by her husband, Roger (Bill) McKeever; sons, Kenneth and Donald (Tina); grandchildren, Marcus, Christopher, Austin, Madysen, Masen, Laura, and Amy; great-grandchildren Sawyer Rose, Jackson, and another grandson who is due soon; siblings, Joanne Lieske, Leonard Wojtysiak, Carolyn Holmes-Leneway, and Donna Lunke; and many nieces and nephews. Marion was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Walter Wojtysiak; and infant daughter, Kathleen.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at St. Mary’s Church in Silver Bay. Lunch will follow the mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, the McKeever family would like donations to be made to Birch Grove Community School, Tofte, MN or St. Mary’s Church, Silver Bay, MN. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
Leave a Reply