MARY CLARE FISCHENICH, age 86, of Ellsworth, died Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne. She was born on the family farm in rural Lyon County, IA, to Elmer and Margaret (Monahan) Egan. Mary Clare graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School in 1940. She attended St. Teresa College in Winona. Mary Clare moved to California for a few years where she worked in a war plant during WWII. She returned home to Ellsworth after the war and worked at Egan?s Market in Adrian. It is at this time that Cecil Fischenich purchased a can of coffee from the store where Mary Clare worked hoping to summon up the courage to ask her out. Mary Clare married Cecil Fischenich on August 25, 1947, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellsworth. After their marriage, the couple lived in Ellsworth, where they worked along side of each other for over 37 years in the Ellsworth Caf? shared with Cecil?s brother, Ed. It is at this time, she became well known for her wonderful pie baking. They retired in June of 1983. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a casino night at home. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She was a woman of great faith and found strength and comfort in praying the rosary daily with her husband Cecil. Mary Clare enjoyed fishing trips up north, casino visits and many years of card playing with friends and family. She was also an avid sports fan of the local sports teams, the Timberwolves, Vikings, and especially the Minnesota Twins. She enjoyed following her grandchildren?s sports careers and other activities. Mary Clare is survived by her husband, Cecil, Ellsworth; six children and their spouses, Mary Ellen & Dave Fischenich Ashling, Golden Valley; Ann Fischenich, Marion, IA; Susan & Tim Sheldon, North Mankato; Paul & Karla Fischenich, Byron; David & Joni Fischenich, Windom; and Laura & Corey Field, Clarkfield; daughter-in-law, Mary Kay Fischenich, Ellsworth; 22 grandchildren, Dana, Grant, Jared, Caleb, Amy, Douglas, Ryan, Abbey, Matt, Josh, Corey, Jessica, Megan, Emily, Zach, Sam, Sarah, Joe, Katie, Michelle, Casey, and Morgan, four great-grandchildren, Taylor, Johnathon, Rilee, and Seth, two sisters, Ruth McCarville, O?Neill, NE; Patricia (Frank) Lopez, LaQuinta, CA; three brothers, Msgr. Eugene Egan, Ellsworth, MN; Raymond (Diane) Egan, Spirit Lake, IA; and Gerry (Joan) Egan, Port Orchard, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, John Fischenich in 2001, grandson, Luke Sheldon, in 1986.