Rooney Family Tree

Ellen Jayne Marsnik, 78, of Gilbert, died Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Essentia Health in Aurora.

She was born July 24, 1934. In 1952, she graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis. Growing up, Jayne was an excellent figure skater, ballet dancer, tap dancer and athlete. In 1951, she won victories in the Minesota State Tournament in badminton in both the singles and doubles competition. After high school, she worked briefly as a fashion model for the Sears Roebuck Catalogue Company. In 1953, Jayne enrolled in the University of Minnesota. In 1959 she married Elbert Gorman. Following the death of her first husband, she married Bernard "Fuzzy" Marsnik in 1967. The family continued to grow to seven children. Although she despised the cold weather, Jayne loved Biwabik and made friends quickly. She took up golf at the Eshquagama Country Club, where she eventually served as club president. She was also active in her sewing and bridge clubs. She was an excellent gardener who made the most of Minnesota's short growing season. In addition, she and Fuzzy were incredibly active in the DFL Party. Jayne taught her children and grandchildren to love books, poetry, theater and music. She also encouraged her children to play as many sports as possible, and she rarely missed a home game. In the late 1970s, Jayne was employed by Merritt House as a mental health care worker. Later, she and her husband bought Package Liquor in Biwabik, which they ran until retirement. Throughout her life, she was an avid volunteer, coordinating events for the city and working at food shelves and other service organizations. She loved playing cards and Scrabble, reading, going for pontoon boat rides and sharing meals with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Jayne is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bernard "Fuzzy" Marsnik; seven children, Colleen Gorman, Margaret "Peggy" (Rick) Wilson, Mary (Gary) Stachovich, Katy Gorman, Tom (Jennifer) Marsnik, Megan (Jason Langer) Marsnik and Shannan (Matthew Wolfe) Marsnik; two sisters, Mardelle Bacon and Ann (Ernie) Ronnie; 19 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband; her parents; brother David; grandson, Patrick Wilson; and foster grandson, Derek Maki.

Inurnment will be in the Biwabik Township Cemetery.