Marie A. Salfai Marie A. Salfai, 88, of Menominee passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Rennes Health Center-East, Peshtigo, surrounded by her family.
Born on July 27, 1921 in Menominee to the late John and Josephine (Evrard) Brault, she attended St. Ann Grade School (Menominee Catholic Central).
She graduated from Lourdes High School at age 16 and received her teaching certificate from Northern Michigan Normal College (Northern Michigan University) and began teaching grade school in a two-room schoolhouse in Birch Creek, Mi. at the age of 18.
Joe Salfai proposed to her on Nov. 9, 1943 while on leave from the Army and after he was wounded in battle on Sept. 13, 1944 in Italy, he recuperated for almost a year at a Chicago hospital. She moved to Chicago and worked there at Scott Foresman Publishing until he was released from the hospital. They were married on Sept. 22, 1945 at St. Ann Parish in Menominee and he preceded her in death on Nov. 9, 1991.
After their marriage the couple moved to Lower Michigan, where her husband attended trade school on the GI Bill to become a machinist and she tended to their first child. Upon returning to Menominee, she substitute taught at Arthur Bay School, retiring from teaching after their third child was born.
She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church, the Altar Society and was a past president of St. Ann’s PTA. She was also a member of the DAV Auxiliary and a registered Democrat. She had a gift for playing piano by ear, and played and sang for family, friends and then the residents at Rennes East. She sang in church choirs and at many weddings.
She is survived by six sons, Michael (Michelle) of Peshtigo, James (fiance, Sharon Everson) of Marinette, Joseph (Cheryl) of Menominee, Peter of Irving, Tex., Paul (Laura) of Marquette, Mi. and William (Amy) of Midland, Mi.; five daughters, Mary Jo Salfai of Menominee, Mrs. Harold (Patricia) Kaufman of Loomis, Mrs. James (Susan) Hipke of Peshtigo, Mrs. Ron (Jeannie) Hair of Richardson, Tex. and Gabrielle (fiance, Steve Nelson) Salfai-Hipke of Marinette; 28 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents and her husband, Joseph, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann Elizabeth; two brothers, Percy and George; five sisters, Amanda (Sister Josephine), Bernice, Irene, Gladys and Mary Elizabeth (Betsy); a foster brother, Tom Burke and four infant siblings.
Friends may call at Resurrection Church in Menominee on Friday, Oct. 23 from 4 p.m. until time of service. A Funeral Mass will be held at 7 p.m. with Rev. Michael Chenier officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Menominee Catholic Central would be appreciated. Lemieux-Thielen Home, Menominee is assisting the family.
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