Minga Szczepek died at Mydor's Open Guest Home in Santa Maria on October 24, 2008. She was born on August 4, 1910, in Alhambra, California. She and her five siblings went to school and were raised in Lompoc, California. In 1943 she met the love of her life, Frank Szczepek, at Camp Cooke where he was sent after being injured in World War II. They married and had two daughters, Terry and Crystal.

In 1938 she opened and owned three beauty shops, one in Camp Cooke, one in Buellton, and one in Solvang. She operated Minga's Beauty Shoppe in Solvang for more than 30 years. The Alisal Guest Ranch referred many famous clients to her, including Dean Martin and Danny Thomas' family. She was an active member of the Solvang business community for many years.

Minga sold her shop in Solvang in 1976 and retired to continue with her various hobbies. She loved oil painting, jewelry making, china painting, and gardening. Minga is survived by her two daughters, Terry McCoy and her husband Rafael, and Crystal Bertheau and her husband David, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by all her siblings.

A rosary will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary located at 123 North A Street in Lompoc. Relatives and friends are welcome for viewing from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road in Lompoc with Monsignor Fitzgerald to officiate. Interment will be in the Lompoc Cemetery at 600 South C St. Following the interment, a luncheon reception will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.

Minga's family would like to thank Marian Hospice for their kindness and great care. In lieu of flowers, donations to Marian Hospice, 504 E. Plaza Drive, Santa Maria, California 93454, would be appreciated. Her family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at Mydor's Open Guest Home where Minga spent the last year and a half of her life. The staff goes above and beyond their duties to make their guests comfortable with kindness and love.