MASON CITY — Sheila R. Malek, 76, of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at her home under the care of Mercy Hospice.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 2, from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE in Mason City. A Scriptural Wake service will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 3, at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 5th St. SE in Mason City. Burial will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Sheila was born January 31, 1950, in Mason City, the daughter of Robert Peterson Sr. and Ann (Frank) Peterson. A lifelong Mason City resident, she attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Newman Catholic before graduating from Mason City High School.
On September 2, 1972, Sheila married David Malek at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City. Together, they built a life centered on family and recently celebrated 54 years of marriage. They were blessed with three children, Shannon, Josh and Adam.
For more than 35 years, Sheila worked in patient registration at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Through the decades, she became a familiar and welcoming face to countless patients and families before retiring after a long career of service.
Family remained at the center of Sheila’s life. Being a mother and grandmother meant more to her than any other role. When her children were young, summer days often included loading up the car and heading to Clear Lake for an afternoon at the beach, continuing a simple family tradition that Sheila herself had enjoyed growing up.
Sheila was also known for her talents in the kitchen. She loved cooking and especially enjoyed baking for birthdays, celebrations and special occasions. She sometimes worked late into the night or early morning hours to make sure a cake or special treat was just right. Food was one of the many ways Sheila showed her love for the people around her.
She also loved books and could happily become absorbed in a good story. In later years, Sheila enjoyed occasional afternoons at the casino and the fun and excitement that went along with them.
Those grateful for sharing in Sheila’s life include her husband, David; children Shannon Malek and Dan Judon, Josh and Leesa Malek, and Adam and Shawna Malek; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings Sandee Hamann, Terry Eldridge, Robert and Sherry Peterson Jr., and Cathy and Scott Peterson; members of the Malek family; and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Ann Peterson; in-laws Clem and Alice Malek; sisters-in-law Laurie Malek and Susan Malek; brother-in-law Bob Eldridge; and great-granddaughter Brooklyn Coleman.
Additional service information and condolences for the family are available through Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituaries and remembrances for families and funeral homes free of charge.
I kept this warmer and more readable than a traditional obituary while preserving the important family and service details.