"Joe" Marusak

Joseph “Joe” Wencil Marusak, son of Wencil and Mary (Zavadil) Marusak was born at home in Douglas County on September 3, 1929. He grew up in the Alexandria area where he attended District 24 country school through the 8th grade. He farmed with his parents until he met his future wife Lilly Ann Kalina. They were united in marriage on November 9, 1954. This union was blessed with four children, Dale, Duane, Joann and David. After a short time of farming Joe went to work for two different plumbing and heating companies and then eventually started his own plumbing business called Joe’s plumbing and heating in Morris, Minnesota. In 1971 Joe and Lilly Ann purchased her parents farm in Lake Mary Township and in 1974 the family moved there permanently. Joe continued his plumbing business as well as did some hobby farming. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He loved to go fishing, and together with his family every summer they would take a week-long vacation to the Brainerd Lakes area where his family would spend time visiting Paul Bunyan and Deer Park as well as fishing. One of Joe’s biggest thrills was to spear northern pike in the dark house. The thrill of spearing a big northern is something that he not only passed onto his sons, but also his wife. He loved being outside with the animals and nature. He enjoyed playing cards and bingo with friends and family, and was always willing to go on a casino run. Joe was the grandpa that loved the time spent with the grandchildren and great grandchildren on the farm, whether it was spent feeding the cows or going on tractor rides.
At the age of 86, Joe passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Lilly Ann; children, Dale (Lenae) Marusak of Boyceville, WI, Duane (Joni) Marusak of Alexandria, Joann (David) Pikop of Glenwood, David Marusak of Baxter; grandchildren, Jennifer (Robert) Kallstrom, Kristen (Michael) Simonson, Katelyn Marusak, Matthew (Becca) Marusak, Benjamin Marusak, Heidi (Chad) Borgen, Justin Marusak, Brett (Angie) Marusak, Heather (special friend Lee Langei) Kirsch, Jeremy Kirsch, Melissa (Luke) Anderson, Serina Pikop, Derek (fiancANLGAC. Sarah Boraas) Pikop, Sara (fiancANLGA Teddy Aubart) Galaviz, Nicole (TJ) Walker, Anthony Marusak; great grandchildren, Emily, Aaron, Ava, Ean, Brenna, Brayden, Justin, Kaylee, Paige, Seth, Olivia, Michelle, Adrianna, Mataya, Olivia, Joseph, Hailey, Alexis, Kaelyn, Taylor and two more on the way! Brother, Frank (Ida) Marusak of Lexington, KY; sister, Marylou (George) Schouweiler of Alexandria; brother in law, Gordon Jobe; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Wencil and Mary Marusak, father and mother-in-law, Frank W and Anna Kalina; sister, Marlene Jobe; sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Henry Trousil, Irene and Gilbert Hiebel.
A Mass of Christian Burial was presided by Father Joseph Vanderberg on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, Minnesota, at 11:00 AM. A visitation took place on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Pallbearers were, Heather Kirsch, Jennifer Kallstrom, Heidi Borgen, Jeremy Kirsch, Justin Marusak, Brett Marusak, Matthew Marusak and Benjamin Marusak; honorary pallbearers were, all of the rest of Joe’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.
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