Ann Marie Vacko, age 74, of Kasson, passed away on February 11, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital.

Ann was born on August 8, 1942, the daughter of Joseph and Bessie (Cepelak) Vacko in Owatonna.  She graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1960.  Ann loved to travel.  In her early career, she had an opportunity to open a new retail location of Three Sister's clothing store in Missoula, MT.  When she relocated back to Rochester, she worked majority of her career at Mayo Clinic Health System and at Hunt's Pharmacy.  Through the years, she had the opportunity to visit 48 States, extended family in Czechoslovakia and toured Europe and Australia.  She was a member at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester for a number of years.

Ann was well known for her written correspondence to friends, school pen pals, and extended family.  She was very fond of spending time with her family and friends.

Ann is survived by two sisters, Judy (Duane) Brockney, of Osage, IA and Margaret Vote of Riceville, IA and a brother, Edward (Maria) Vacko of Bloomington, MN; as well as nieces and nephews, a great-niece, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Bessie; and her brother, John Vacko.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at St. John Baptist de LaSalle Catholic Church, officiated by Father Thomas Niehaus. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.