The family of Mary Marsh, 91, would like to announce her passing peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 in Bemidji, Mn.
Mary was born on Feb. 12, 1925 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Nick and Polly Korman.
She attended school in Fort Frances until Grade 10 and then went to work at the Emperor Hotel in both the kitchen and as a waitress, at the Rainy Lake Hotel as a dishwasher, then became a side cook during the WWII, until 1945.
Mary also worked as a clerk at Elliot Brothers Hardware. Later, Mary took on other employment with Ace Hardware for seven years and then at Gambles from 1964-66.
She also worked at International Motor Lodge and the Northern Lights Motel.
Mary was united in marriage to Murtis Marsh on May 8, 1948 at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances. They eventually settled in International Falls, Mn. in 1950, where they raised their two children, Gary and Kasie (Debbie).
Their leisure time was spent at the cabin they built on Clearwater Lake in Ontario. It was there they enjoyed fishing, hunting, and entertaining family, friends, and loved ones.
When they weren’t at the cabin, Mary and her husband decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs, as well as made rosettes and perogies. They also were regular patrons of the First Assembly of God Church in International Falls.
Mary, along with her husband, was an avid member of the Falls Rifle Club and the Hibbing Rifle Club as an expert marksman. She also was member of the St. Anna’s Ukrainian Organization and the Ukrainian Literary Society Hall in Fort Frances.
Mary became a caregiver for Murtis in 2001 after his diagnosis of colon cancer. In 2003, Mary and her husband moved to Eveleth, Mn., where he could receive regular dialysis treatments.
Mary remained in Eveleth after Murtis’ passing until 2016, when she relocated to Bemidji to be closer to family.
She was predeceased in death by her husband of 57 years, Murtis Marsh; parents, Nick and Polly Korman; brothers, Bill in infancy, Mike Korman, and Peter Korman; maternal grandparents, John and Catherine Basaraba; and paternal grandparents, Alex and Nellie Korman (remarried to Steve Gedilevich).
Mary is survived by her son, Dr. Gary Marsh of Bemidji, Mn.; her daughter, Kasie (Dave) Wardas of International Falls, Mn.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Megan Parr of North Carolina and son, Michael, Heidi Smith (Don) of Devlin, Ont. and children, Isabel, Isaac, Emma, Samuel, Elias, Eleanor, and Matthias, and Lindsey Parr (Ryan) of Fargo, N.D. and children, Kaleb, Ava and Lilly; as well as numerous cousins from the U.S. and Canada.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life tentatively has been set for July 22, 2017 at the First Assembly of God Church in International Falls.
In memoriam donations may be made to First Assembly of God Church in International Falls or the charity of your choice.
MARY MARSH
