Marian Pavlovich Obituary

Marian Pavlovich, age 93, long-time Ironwood resident, passed away on July 5, 2025 in Chanhassen, Minnesota where she had lived since 2020.
Born on May 5, 1932, Marian was the eldest child of Anton and Rose (Zarimba) Gust. She credited her parents for her deep faith and commitment to family and helping others. Her years growing up in the family businesses – Zarimba's Tavern and Grocery Store – also taught her to work hard while having fun.
Following graduation from St. Ambrose High School in 1950, Marian studied music at what is now Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. After returning to Ironwood, she continued to work in the family grocery store and as a secretary for the Gogebic Industrial Bureau. She also became organist and choir director at the former St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Following the merger of Ironwood's Catholic churches in 1986, Marian was appointed choir director at the newly formed Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church. Throughout her 50-year tenure as an organist and choir director she took great pleasure in bringing beautiful music to worship services as one of the many expressions of her deep Catholic faith.
Marian also used her musical talents to organize and direct the Polish group during the annual Ironwood Summer Festival in the 1960s and 1970s. Her 30+ member troupe performed Polish music and dances much to the enjoyment of audiences and the members themselves who were grateful for her leadership.
Marian met the love of her life, Marko Pavlovich, after high school. Upon his return from military service, they wed on July 31, 1954 sharing a remarkable partnership until Marko's death in 2017. Their 63-year marriage was a model of love, faith, and unwavering commitment to each other and their family as demonstrated by Marian's remarkable care of Marko during the six years they faced the long goodbye of Alzheimer's.
In 1966, Marko and Marian, along with a partner John Maslanka, started the Gambles hardware store on Suffolk Street in downtown Ironwood. They eventually became the sole owners and ran the store with their family. The business grew and in 1977 they opened a new store on Cloverland Drive which they operated until 1989. During those years Marian most enjoyed using her excellent interior design skills to help customers choose everything from the right paint color to furniture and appliances. In addition, she and Marko became renovation experts expanding their home to accommodate their growing family doing most of the work themselves. After semi-retirement Marian worked for Maurices Clothing Store in Ironwood and volunteered with the St. Vincent DePaul Society. She was also a member of the former St. Michael's Altar Society and a talented seamstress, upholsterer, painter, and do-it-yourselfer.
Marian is survived by her five children, Debbie (William) Prigge, Chanhassen, MN; Mark (Frank), West Chester, PA; Tony (Mary), Chanhassen, MN; Tom (Kathy), St. Michael, MN; and Christopher (Mary), Duluth, MN; as well as five grandchildren, Dan, Anna, Jeff, Brandon, and Brent and five great grandchildren, Michael, Asher, Emily, Anthony, and Matthew. Also surviving are her sisters Elizabeth (Rod) Bernardin and Eleanore Eckert, sister-in-law Ruth Gust, long-time family friend Don Pelkola, and many cousins, relatives, and dear friends including members of her Ironwood breakfast group. She was predeceased by her husband, parents, brother John Gust, and in-laws Marko and Julia Pavlovich, Atte and Kay Maki, and Tom and Jean Pavlovich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, July 12, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at 11 a.m. with visitation to take place prior from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette Street, Ironwood, MI, 49938.