Jacob “Jake” Ravnik age 100 of Crosby died on October 2, 2017 at his home.  He was born to Jacob and Frances (Sustersic) Ravnik in Ely, MN on July 27, 1917, he was the 3rd of nine children.

 Jake was a retired member of the Local 959, Alaska Teamster Union with 30 years of service.  He was a life time member of the Myrin-James American Legion #443, Ironton; and the Cuyuna Range Masonic Lodge #276.

The family moved to the Cuyuna Range and lived in the various mining towns surrounding Crosby. Jake worked in the CC camps during the depression and then left home jumping the rail to head west to work in the lumber industry and farming.  He worked in copper, tungsten and iron ore mines. He served in the Army in the Figi and Philippine Islands during WWII.  Returning to Minnesota after the war he decided to adventure to the territory of Alaska in 1947 with brothers and friends.  In 1948 he started a two week job with Green Construction which lasted until his retirement in 1977.  Working with the road construction company took him to various camps throughout Alaska.

In 1951 he married Marlys Steinke of Cuyuna in the town of Seward, AK.  They had two daughters. The four of them lived in construction camps from Fairbanks to Tok.  Life was never boring. Jake had the gift of living in the moment and the most important person was the one he was talking to at the moment.  Up to the end he was still interested in people and life.  He was the wind in his daughter’s sails. Jake lived an honest life of integrity and grace.

Jacob is survived by his wife Marlys and daughter Nancy Ravnik of Crosby, daughter and son-in-law, Betty Ravnik and Jeff Helget of Alexandria, brother and sister-in-law Frank and Nellie Ravnik of Helena, MT, Sister-in-law June Steinke of Crosby, Many nieces and nephews and good friends Pat Northberg, Niki Jacobs and Dan Jurek.

Preceding Jake in death are his parents, four brothers, John, Adolph, Henry "Hank", and Edward Ravnik; and three sisters, Frances Ravnik, Julia Barrett and Elizabeth Melquist.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby with full military honors given by the Myrin James American Legion Post.  Visitation will be on Sunday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church from 4 to 6 pm and on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers or memorials are preferred to the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443, Ironton.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

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