Mary Jo Gazich

Mary Josephine (Hopkins) Gazich passed away November 7, 2026, surrounded by family. Mary Jo was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, born February 22, 1937, to Robert and Mae Hopkins in Fort Sheridan, IL. Her father was in the military and during the war years Mary Jo and her family moved several times where they eventually settled in Sparta, WI. Mary Jo was a 1954 graduate of Sparta High School. In 1958, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN. One of her college classes was a course in rural nursing. Hibbing, MN was one of six Minnesota communities that participated in the program. She and several other students made the trip to Hibbing. In those years, it was a long ride from Winona to Hibbing. During the trip, Mary Jo became concerned because of the distance and wilderness of the area. When she arrived in Hibbing, there was a rainstorm and the roads and cars were covered with rust-colored water and dirt. Her first glimpse of hope was the sight of the brand-new Lincoln Jr. High School, and she realized Hibbing was civilized. During one of her study breaks, she went downtown for a meal where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Gazich. October 1958, they were married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta, WI. Together they raised five beautiful children who sometimes caused a little premature gray hair. Mary Jo was a homemaker and after her youngest child was in school, she returned to her nursing profession as the school nurse at Assumption Hall for 32 years. Mary Jo, along with Bill, were wonderful parents and established a warm and loving home. The five children will never be able to repay what they received during their childhood years. Mary Jo evolved into an excellent cook. While she was not a native of the Iron Range, she mastered the wonderful art of making sarma, spaghetti, and potica. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed the company of family and friends at the house. There were many interesting conversations at the kitchen table over coffee and her baked goods. To her grandchildren, she will be especially remembered for her fast kisses and Haiku birthday poems. Mary Jo was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church. She was a woman of great faith who left a gift of unconditional love and loyalty to family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mae Hopkins and her husband, William Gazich. Mary Jo is survived by her five children, Stephen (Stefanie), Jeffrey (Sue), Teresa (Dan) Bailey, Robert (Kathleen), and Patrick (Mary); 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary Jo’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Lyngblomsten for the kindness, dignity, and loving care they provided. The family would like to thank Father Vigneron and Father Manthey of Holy Childhood Catholic Church for administering the sacraments to Mary Jo during her final days. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 11:00 am in Hibbing, MN. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the beginning of the Mass at church. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 9:45 am at the church. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing following the Mass.