Mary Balaski-Zylka

Mary (Balaski) Zylka, age 93, of Fridley, MN, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 in Woodbury, MN. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls, MN, with Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in St. Adalbert's Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation will be held from Noon until the hour of service at the funeral chapel. Mary Balaski was born on May 1, 1917 on a farm by Sobieski, MN, the daughter of Peter & Rose (Bartkowitz) Balaski. She grew up in the Little Falls area where she went to school. She was united in marriage to George Zylka in 1941. The couple made their home in Little Falls before moving to the Twin Cities where Mary lived the rest of her life. Mary's main job was raising her family. She was a faithful member of St. William's Catholic Church in Fridley. Mary enjoyed crocheting, making crafts, playing cards (especially Five Hundred and Cribbage), watching the Minnesota Twins, gardening, canning and fishing. Left to cherish her memory are her son, David Zylka of Coon Rapids, MN and daughter, Deborah (Richard) James of Iowa; sister, Ann Garrison of Little Falls, MN; four grandchildren, Gary, Grant, Geoffrey and Gretchen; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Peter & Rose; husband, George; grandson, Greg; brothers and sisters, Joe Balaski, Sophie Treb, Peter Balaski, Jr., Frances Wozniak, Tom Balaski, Edward Balaski, John Balaski, Josephine Seelen and Florence Noel.