Obituary of Joseph Frank Mayasich

Joeseph Frank Mayasich, 98, of Arden Hills, MN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Born to Frank and Mary Mayasich on July 23, 1926, in Eveleth, MN. Joe married Lorraine Claus, his loving bride of 70 years, on August 21, 1954. Together they raised eight children in Fayal Township, MN. Joe served two years in the United States Navy during World War Two. Following his service to his country, he returned to MN and attended the University of MN Duluth where received his Teaching and Masters Degrees. He began his teaching career in Duluth, MN (1950-1954), then joined the Eveleth School District. He served as a teacher, curriculum director and principal of the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School from 1954 until his retirement in 1984. Joe rarely spent time behind a desk, he could be found walking the halls, seeing to the needs of staff and students. During the noon hour he could be seen hitting balls for the kids to catch or teaching a science lesson on a local field trip to nearby Fayal Pond. There are former Franklin students who credit him with saving their futures by finding ways to keep them in school with hands-on projects at the school. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His lap was seldom without a grandchild or great grandchild. He loved to show them magic tricks, disappearing coins or a coin pulled from their ear. Joe and Lorraine would spend weeks at their Bassett Lake cabin, enjoying the peace and solitude it gifted them each day. He kept a large garden both at home and at the cabin. He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings; Rose (infant), Mary, Ann, Rose, Lucy, Kathryn, Frank Jr, Bernard and James and a Grand Daughter Lindsay. He is survived by brothers; Edward and John; his wife Lorraine, his children; Joe Jr (Sally), Denise Bacon(Larry), Debra Gunderson(Greg), Mark (Sandy), Tim (Jenni), Greg (Patti), Paul (Nancy), and Chris Wright. Grandchildren; Alex, Neil, Rachel, Laura, Joey, Johanna, Cameron, Dylan, Ashley, Mara, Olivia and Spencer. Greatgrandchildren; Pryor, Delia, Harrison, Benjamin, Aspen, Brooks, Brimson, Eliana, Lennox, Edison, and Lindley. Details of a Celebration of Life for Joe will be forthcoming.