Joseph M. Sertich Sr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m.Friday, April 30, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chisholm, with Rev. Fr. Fred Method celebrating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m.with combined Knights of Columbus and Parish Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.on Thursday at the church, and will continue for one hour prior to the mass at the church on Friday. Interment will follow in Chisholm Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Chisholm.
Joseph M. Sertich Sr., age 83, of Chisholm, died unexpectedly Monday, April 26, 2010 at Fairview University Medical Center - Mesabi in Hibbing. He was a lifelong resident of Chisholm and born in Pigtown on the Southeast corner of Chisholm on October 1, 1926 to Michael and Manda (Bicanich) Sertich, immigrants from Croatia. He was a 1944 graduate of Chisholm High School. He was joined in Marriage to the love of his life, Frances (Kennedy) Sertich on August 6, 1949 after returning from the U.S. Army and working for Snyder Mining Company. His father was also a miner. Joe worked most of his life for Mesaba Service and Supply Company in Hibbing where his job as an Excavating Engineer brought him to all corners of the world and across the United States, dismantling mining equipment and providing for his family. He was a member of the VFW Post 8510 - Hibbing, Press-Lloyd American Legion Post 247 – Chisholm, American All-Slav Association of Minnesota, Knights of Columbus Chisholm Council 3539, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chisholm. He served as President of the Starlighter’s Dance Club, and he was a charter member of Camp Round-Up and served as Treasurer for 26 years which allowed him to enjoy his family for numerous hunting seasons. He achieved many trophies and recognition in poker and bean bag tournaments. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors, especially his cabin on Little Sturgeon.
He is survived by five children, Joe Jr. (Nancy) Sertich, Chisholm; Kathleen (Frank) Centa, Side Lake; Susie(Steve) Cook, Chisholm; Danny (Judy) Sertich, Chisholm; Tom (Andrea) Sertich, Balkan Township; one sister, Helen Swanovich, Buhl; eleven grandchildren , Tony(Tallie)Sertich, Chisholm; Manda Sertich (Malvin Moore), Ghana, West Africa; Tina Centa, Egan, MN; Mike Centa, Mound, MN; Joe Centa, Side Lake; Maria Cook, Chisholm; Kirsten Sertich, St. Paul, MN; David Sertich, Hibbing, MN; Nick Sertich, Chisholm; Carly and Alex Sertich of Balkan, numerous nieces and nephews, a close friend, Dorothy Prebil of Chisholm. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his wife – Frances L. on May 9, 1997 after 48 years of marriage, five sisters, Kate (Novaselec) Ikola; Ann Yonkovich; Mary (Holland) Pothen; Julie Holland; and JoAnn "Coco" Yonkovich.
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