Marie Maxine Hadrava

Marie Maxine Hadrava

After several days of loving goodbyes with family and friends, Marie Maxine Hadrava (87), of Eveleth, Minn., went peacefully to sleep on June 24, 2024.

Marie was born on February 2, 1937, the youngest of Frances (Demic) and John Klander's five children. She was baptized in the Catholic church and raised in the small Iron Range town in which she would spend her entire life. After a whirlwind romance with Elmer Hadrava, Marie got married in 1954 and began her life as a mother and wife. When satisfied with the job of raising her four children, she worked for a short time at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and then for 20 years at Jon's Drug in Eveleth, which she recalled fondly.

Marie's free time was spent camping at Whiteface Lake and Bemidji, playing cards, which included frequent Bridge and Smear tournaments with friends in her later years, planting flowers, collecting angels, crocheting, cooking and baking, and hosting giant family gatherings during the holidays. She stayed true to her faith and to her Slovenian heritage, passing down recipes for pasties and potica and even taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Slovenia to visit relatives. Her loving kindness was extended frequently to her seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, whom she cherished to the end.

She is survived by her children Sharon Bonach (John), Lorry (Leonard) Belobaba, and John (Darlene); her daughter-in-law Janis; her grandchildren Wendy, Brian, Adam, Alan, Katie, and Tommy; and her great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind several special friends, including the compassionate staff of the Virginia Care Center, who brought her much joy in the past 20 months.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Francis (Steve) Sklors; her brothers John "Perk" (Jeanette), Louis (Bette), and Joseph (Lola); her husband of 45 years, Elmer; her son James "Jimmy;" her granddaughter Lisa Marie; and her grandson Jason.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, in Cron-Sheehy Funeral Home, Eveleth from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. There will be a Sharing of Memories and special music at noon. The family would like to thank the staff of the Virginia Care Center, the ICU and 2nd floor nurses at Essentia Health.