Mary Beth Zolecki

Mary Beth Zolecki passed away peacefully, surrounded by her immediate family on November 12, 2025, at the age of 72. She was born on June 29, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to Robert Einar & Marie Elizabeth (Tait) Sauerberg, and grew up with her parents and brother, George, in Mundelein, Illinois. She graduated from Palatine High School in 1971.

Mary Beth met her husband, Rich Zolecki, in 1970, and was married in 1973. While living in their first home in Palatine, they welcomed 3 healthy children, Lauren, Wesley, & Lindsay. In 1990, they built and moved into their forever home in Prairie Grove, Illinois. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and battled the disease courageously for 35 years. During this period, Mary Beth persevered through the many physical and mental challenges of the disease. Despite her illness, she bravely returned to work full time while continuing to raise her family.

She was extremely artistic and creatively gifted, expressing her love through cooking, entertaining, sewing, decorating, gardening, and floral arrangements. She was happiest sharing a meal and laughter with her family. It brought her great joy to welcome her beloved grandchild, Téa into the family in 2012.

Mary Beth was a devout Catholic, attending St. Thomas of Villanova, then St. Thomas the Apostle in Crystal Lake. Before her health declined in her later years, she was able to fulfill her dream of international travel, undertaking a religious pilgrimage to the Middle East, as well as trips to Poland, Italy and France.

Mary Beth is survived by Richard Henry Zolecki; her children Lauren Marie Zolecki-Polzin, Wesley Michael Zolecki, & Lindsay Marie Zolecki; granddaughter Téa Elizabeth Polzin; brother George Sauerberg & his wife Vilia Sauerberg; her nephew Theodore Sauerberg, his wife Julie Sauerberg & their 3 children; and her sister-in-law Marian Landy & brother-in-law Raymond Landy.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert & Marie Sauerberg; grandmother Marie Tait & grandfather George Tait; and her Aunt Irene Tait & Uncle James Tait.

A visitation will be held for Mary Beth on Friday, November 21 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, Illinois. During the visitation there will be a Memorial Service at 7pm to include eulogies and a time of sharing. A funeral mass will be held the following day, Saturday, November 22 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, Illinois. Burial will follow at Windridge Memorial Park & Nature Sanctuary, 7014 S Rawson Bridge Rd., Cary, Illinois at 11:45 AM