Ellen Jayne Marsnik

Memorial Mass for Ellen Jayne Marsnik, 78, of Gilbert will be 11 AM Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at St. John's Catholic Church in Biwabik with Fr. Steven Daigle Celebrant. Friends may gather one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Inurnment will be in the Biwabik Township Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Ellen Jayne Marsnik passed away on May 2, 2013 at Essentia Health in Aurora. She was born on July 24, 1934. In 1952, she graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis. Growing up, Jayne was an excellent figure skater, ballet dancer, tap dancer, and athlete. In 1951, she won victories in the MN State Tournament in badminton in both the singles and doubles competition. After high school, she worked briefly as a fashion model for the Sears Roebuck Catalogue Company. In 1953, Jayne enrolled in the University of Minnesota. In 1959 she married Elbert Gorman. Following the death of her first husband, she married Bernard "Fuzzy" Marsnik in 1967. The family continued to grow to seven children. Although she despised the cold weather, Jayne loved Biwabik and made friends quickly. She took up golf at the Eshquagama Country club, where she eventually served as club president. She was also active in her sewing and bridge clubs. She was an excellent gardener who made the most of Minnesota's short growing season. In addition, she and Fuzzy were incredibly active in the DFL party. Jayne taught her children and grandchildren to love books, poetry, theater, and music. She also encouraged her children to play as many sports as possible, and she rarely missed a home game. In the late 70s, Jayne was employed by Merrit House as a mental health care worker. Later, she and her husband bought Package Liquor in Biwabik, which they ran until retirement. Throughout her life, she was an avid volunteer, coordinating events for the city and working at food shelves and other service organizations. She loved playing cards and scrabble, reading, going for pontoon boat rides, and sharing meals with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Jayne is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bernard "Fuzzy" Marsnik; seven children: Colleen Gorman of St. Paul, Margaret "Peggy" (Rick) Wilson of Lakeland, Mary (Gary) Stachovich of Biwabik, Katy Gorman of LaPointe, WI, Tom (Jennifer) Marsnik of Blaine, Megan (Jason Langer) Marsnik of St. Paul, and Shannan (Matthew Wolfe) Marsnik of St. Paul; two sisters: Mardelle Bacon of Golden Valley and Ann (Ernie) Ronnie of Golden Valley; 19 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, brother David, grandson Patrick Wilson, and foster grandson Derek Maki.