Marie Strukelj

Maria Strukelj age 95 of Crosby formerly of Emily died on November 10, 2016 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.  Maria was born on November 5, 1921 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia to Joseph and Marie (Berus) Zelko.  The first part of Maria’s life was spent in Slovenia of the former Yougoslavia.  She lived a happy youth in the small village of Novo Mesto with her parents and two younger sisters, Frances and Josephine.

Maria having a love of cooking planned to attend a chef school in Austria.  That plan was changed with the onset of the communist invasion.  Maria, being a member of the anti-communist movement was forced to flee with her two sisters and hundreds of other countrymen.  At the age of 24, Maria arrived in the U.S., where she embraced her new country, learned the language and proudly became a citizen.  She Married Anton “Tony” Strukelj in 1959 in Lamont, IL.

Maria was a happy, laughing person who loved to cook and make countless meals for her friends.  She welcomed all and will be sadly missed.  She owned and operated the Emily Grocery Store for 35 years.  She was a member of St. Emily’s Catholic Church in Emily.

Maria is survived by her sisters, Frances  Zelko and Josephine (Frank) Vavpotic; two nephews, Frank (Kathy) Vavopic and Nicholas (Laura) Vavopic and five great nieces.

Preceding Maria in death are her parents and her husband Tony.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at St. Emily’s Catholic Church in Emily.  Burial will be at the Resurrection Cemetery in

Justice, Illinois. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.