Lilly Ann Marusak

Lilly Ann (Kalina) Marusak was born to Frank W. and Anna (Benesh) Kalina on October 10, 1932, at home, in Lake Mary Township Douglas County MN. She was the third of three daughters. She grew up on the home farm, working alongside her family. Lilly Ann attended District 19 Country School for 8 years. She met the love of her life Joseph Marusak and was united in marriage on November 9, 1954 at St John’s Nepomuk Church. They were blessed with four children, Dale, Duane, Joann, and David. Joe and Lilly Ann moved to Morris where Joe opened his plumbing business and Lilly Ann worked as a cook at the Stevens County Hospital.

 In 1971 Joe and LillyAnn purchased her parents’ farm in Lake Mary Township, moving there permanently. They joined the Sacred Heart Church in Glenwood. Lilly Ann enjoyed the trips her family made to the Brainerd area in the summers throughout the years. She loved fishing, especially spear fishing, on Lake Reno. Lilly Ann liked spending time with her grandkids, great-grandkids, playing cards, preparing traditional Bohemian foods, gardening, crocheting, quilting, playing Bingo, canning fresh vegetables from the garden, especially her MM pickles that her whole family enjoyed. Lilly Ann went to work as a cook at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN in 1980. She retired after having worked there for 16 years. Lilly Ann lived on the home farm until 2022. Due to medical reasons Lilly Ann then resided at Windmill Ponds until her death. While there she was honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Aspire Champion of Life on Purpose award. At the age of 91, Lilly Ann passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024. 

She is survived by her four children: Dale (Lenae) Marusak of Boyceville, WI, Duane (Joni) Marusak of Alexandria, Joann (David) Pikop of Glenwood, David Marusak (friend Mary) of Baxter; grandchildren: Jennifer (Robert) Kallstrom, Kristen (Michael) Simonson, Katelyn Marusak, Matthew (Becca) Marusak, Benjamin (Alicia) Marusak, Heidi (Chad) Borgen, Justin Marusak (friend Izzy), Brett (Angie) Marusak, Heather (Lee) Langei, Jeremy Kirsch (friend Carla) , Melissa (Luke) Anderson, Serina (Ryan) McGinn, Derek (Sarah) Pikop, Sara Galaviz (friend Nathaniel), Nicole (TJ) Walker, Anthony Marusak (friend Holly) ; great grandchildren: Emily, Aaron, Ava, Ean, Brenna, Brayden, Hunter, Justin, Kaylee, Paige (Will), Seth, Oliver, Michelle, Adrianna, Mataya, Olivia, Joseph, Hailey, Alexis, Kaelyn, Taylor, Kallie, Caleb, Janelle, Reid, Jack, Judah, Jameson, Elsie, Riley, Emma, and Evelyn. Sister-in-law Ida Marusak, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, her parents, Frank W. and Anna Kalina, and her two sisters, Irene(Gilbert) Hiebel and Helen (Hank) Trousil. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be officiated by Father Joe Vandeberg on Friday, July 26, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, Minnesota, at 11:00 AM. A visitation is planned for Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Pallbearers are: Heather Langei, Jennifer Kallstrom, Heidi Borgen, Jeremy Kirsch, Justin Marusak, Brett Marusak, Matthew Marusak and Anthony Marusak; honorary pallbearers are all of the rest of Lilly Ann’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net