Martijntje "Mary Kay" Malakowsky

Martijntje E. "Mary Kay" Malakowsky, 79, of Hartland, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026, at her home with her family by her side.

 

A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland, with a visitation beginning at 12:00PM. Burial will be held at Freeborn Cemetery.

 

Born on March 4, 1947, in Breda, Netherlands, Mary Kay was a daughter of the late Aernout and Adriana (Hoogenwext) Hoogeuraad, At the age of 12, she immigrated to the United States with her family, celebrating her birthday aboard the ship as they arrived through Ellis Island.

 

A proud graduate of Minnesota Lake High School, Mary Kay married Ralph Malakowsky on December 21, 1963. Together, they dedicated more than 40 years to dairy farming on their family homestead, where Mary Kay took immense pride in her work and family.

 

Mary Kay was a devoted member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and shared her faith with the community. Her commitment to service extended beyond the church; she was a passionate advocate for M.A.D.D for over 30 years, earning recognition as "State Speaker of the Year." Additionally, her leadership roles included guiding the local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and serving as a Key Leader for 4H, with her club being honored as "Club of the Year."

 

In her personal life, Mary Kay enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including cross-stitching, cooking, baking, photography, and tending to her beloved flower gardens. She remained proud of her Dutch heritage and cherished returning to the Netherlands with her children for visits.

 

Mary Kay's greatest joy came from her family. As a devoted grandmother, she participated actively in her grandchildren's lives, nurturing their interests and supporting their activities.

 

Those left to cherish Mary Kay's memory include her children, Nancy (Steve) Grosland, Forrest (Sharon) Malakowsky, David (Amanda) Malakowsky, Matt (Charlene) Malakowsky, and Ashley (Sean) Casey; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Johannes (Chris) Hoogenraad, Karel (Mary) Hoogenraad, Theodoor (Delphine) Hoogenraad; a sister, Carolina (Keith) Stern; and her loving and faithful dog, Callie.

 

In addition to her parents, Aernout and Adriana Hoogenraad, Mary Kay was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ralph Malakowsky, daughter, Michelle Malakowsky; grandson, Derek Malakowsky, and brothers, Gerrit and Adrianus Hoogenraad.