Mary Masnjak

Mary Antonija Masnjak, age 95, of the Old Caspian Location in Caspian, MI passed away peacefully at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, on October 19, 2008. She was born in the Dober Location of Caspian on March 5, 1913, the daughter of Croatian immigrants Paskval and Marija (Kruzich) Shubat. She attended the Palatka, Caspian, and Stambaugh schools, graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1931. After graduation she left Caspian with her sister Lillian and moved to Chicago where they found work. Mary married Mirko Masnjak in June 1934 in Chicago and they made their home in Chicago. Mirko preceded her in death in 1986. During World War II she worked in the defense industry at Crane Company in Chicago. At that time, her wages were paid in silver dollars. In 1946 Mary and her husband Mirko went into business and opened the Croatian Village Tavern and Restaurant in Chicago. They sold it in 1973 and then retired. She returned to Old Caspian in 1986 after her husband died. Mary was an excellent cook and baker, making many delicious Croatian specialties, learned from her mother. She was a wonderful loving mother , mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother; a special joy to be with. She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Caspian, Holy Trinity Croatian Catholic Church in Chicago, and a 77 year member of Lodge #32, Hrvatska Sloboda, of the Croatian Fraternal Union. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Anton "Tony" and George Shubat, sister Lillian Kracmer and grandson Kristian. She is survived by her son, Don (Vera) Masnjak, three grandchildren; Paul, Karl, and Marko (Noreen), one great granddaughter, Ashley Marie, and one sister, Dorothy Sarber of Stambaugh. Visitation: Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. Funeral Service: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Caspian with Rev. Norman Clisch, pastor, to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment: Private BOG i HRVATI