Emil Burt Okroi

Emil B. Okroi, 89 year old resident of Pierz, MN, died Friday, February 15 at his home in Pierz, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 20 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, MN, with Fr. David Maciej officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may gather from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 19 at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN and from 9:00-10:30 A.M. on Wednesday at the church. A parish prayer will be said at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Emil B. Okroi was born October 18, 1923 in Holyoke, MN to the late Frank and Rose Mary (Pruszynski) Okroi. The family lived in Holyoke, MN until moving to Grenville, South Dakota for a short time. The family returned to Belle Prairie Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Emil attended school in Belle Prairie Township. He enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during World War II. He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Stavish on April 13, 1948 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, MN. The couple made their home in Buh Township, Morrison County for almost 65 years. Emil worked for Larson Boats in Little Falls, MN. He farmed in Buh Township for several years and drove school bus and milk truck. He owned and operated Okies Junkies and later Okroi Salvage Yard. Emil enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, collecting scrap iron, gopher trapping, reading and playing cards with family and friends as long as he was winning. He was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Emil and Mary Jane were members of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Harding, MN. Emil will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather by his wife, Mary Jane Okroi of Buh Township; children, Gary (Barb) Okroi of Pierz, MN, Frank Okroi of Frenchtown, MT, Robert (Nettie) Okroi of Little Falls, MN, Emil Jr. (Lisa) Okroi of Pierz, MN, Paul Okroi of Pierz, MN, James Okroi of Long Prairie, MN, Lawrence (Jackie) Okroi of Hillman, MN and Julie (Randy) Marshall of Pierz, MN; siblings, Joe (Darlene) Okroi of Little Falls, MN and Francis (Joe) Okroi of Little Falls, MN and 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Emil was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rose Okroi; sisters, Adeline Vnuk, Mary Erdrich, Rosalie Adams and an infant brother and infant sister.