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Julia V. Pavlish Obituary – 2/15/2012


Julia Veronica Pavlish, age 91, of Lester Prairie, formerly of Silver Lake, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at her home, with her daughter by her side.

She was born March 21,1920, in Silver Lake, the daughter of Frank and Rose (Buksa) Dvorak.

Julia attended St. Adalbert’s Catholic School in Silver Lake, and graduated from Silver Lake High School. She then worked at the Cokato Produce for a period of time.

Julia was united in marriage to Frank J. Pavlish May 11, 1943, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Silver Lake. The couple were blessed with three children; Larry, Duane, and Diane.

They farmed south of Silver Lake until 1953, at which time they moved to a small acreage southwest of Lester Prairie. They enjoyed 45 years of marriage until Frank passed away Feb. 14, 1988.

A lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Silver Lake, Julia was a member of CCW and the Holy Rosary Society.

She worked at the Alice Haney Nursing Home for many years.

Julia had many favorite pastimes. They included cooking, gardening, canning, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In earlier years, she enjoyed dancing. She also enjoyed rides in the car and trips to Virginia and Iowa.

Julia always enjoyed company coming to visit on Sundays. Her gracious smile, her welcoming voice, and the smell of her food made everyone feel at home in her house.

In later years, as Julia’s health began to fade, she looked forward to the regular and constant visits from Father Patrick and Celia, the Eucharistic minister from Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake, whether she was in a hospital, nursing facility, or her home.

She was very thankful to and appreciated the regular visits to her home from the nurses and home health care aides who worked with her. They, in turn, all enjoyed her smile and wonderful sense of humor. Throughout the time her health was failing, you never heard her complain. She just loved and enjoyed life.

Julia is survived by her loving children,: Larry Pavlish of Alexandria, VA, Duane Pavlish of Prior Lake, and Diane Zellmann of Lester Prairie; four grandchildren: Darin (Nikki) Pavlish, Bryan Pavlish, Travis Zellmann, and Tara (Roger) Wooddell; five great-grandchildren: Miranda, Leah and Paige Pavlish; Andrew Pavlish, and Matthew Wooddell; a sister, Rosemary Freeman of Minneapolis; sister-in-law Emily Dvorak of Minneapolis; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Frank, Julia was preceded in death by daughters-in-law Jo Ann Pavlish and Randea Pavlish; son-in-law Daryl Zellmann; her parents; brothers Richard Swendra, Leo, and Ernest Dvorak; and a sister, Sophie Dvorak.

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial took place Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake. Concelebrants were Father Gerry Dvorak, Father Tony Stubeda, and Father Patrick Okonkwo. The reader was Celia Knoll, and the organist was Bobbi Ludewig. Internment followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation was Monday, Feb. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake, with a combined Rosary Society rosary and CCW rosary recited at 5 p.m., and parish prayers at 6 p.m. Special music was provided by Chuck Thiel.

Visitation continued Tuesday morning, Feb. 21 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Casket bearers were Thomas Dvorak, Larry Dvorak, Craig Freeman, Jay Dvorak, Daniel Dorman and Jim Brengman.

The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.mareshfuneralhome.com.

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