Marie Dombovy

Marie Katherine Dombovy was born on November 17, 1923 in Little Falls, Minnesota. She was the oldest born to Peter and Anna (Weidenbach) Gross. Marie died on February 24, 2017 at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls at the age of 93. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 4, 2017 at St. John Nepomuk Church in Lastrup, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service.

Marie began her education in a one room school house south of Little Falls. In 1937 the family moved to Pierz, and she attended St. Joseph’s School. As a teenager she moved to Minneapolis and worked as a domestic helper. Her early jobs included waitressing at the Buckman Hotel in Little Falls and the Star Café in Pierz. Marie worked for many years at the Style Shop in Pierz, and always enjoyed helping ladies choose the perfect attire for all occasions. She also loved to dress up and always wanted to look her best. She served on many boards and committees, including the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Pierz Senior Center, Lastrup Christian Mothers, and Parents Without Partners.

Marie and Tony Dombovy were united in marriage October 21, 1952 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Opole. Marie’s great uncle, Father Vincent Wotzka officiated the ceremony. Tony and Marie were partners in their business, Commonwealth Contractors, Inc. The business involved them moving to different construction sites throughout the Midwest, including Faith and Wall, South Dakota and Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. Marie and Tony loved to collect antiques and attend auctions. Tony passed away in January of 1972, leaving Marie to raise three teenagers and one pre-teen.

Marie was a hard-working, loving, and thoughtful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, and volunteer. Numerous hot dishes and pans of bars were delivered to homes of those who suffered a loss, were ill or recuperating, or had recently welcomed a new baby.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Tom) Dukowitz of Harding and St. Cloud; her twins, Denise (Ron) Janson, of Eagle River, AK and Dennis (Lynn) Dombovy, of Harding; her son, John (Patty) Dombovy, of Soldotna, AK; grandsons, Tony Dombovy, of Juneau, AK and Bryan Dombovy of Soldotna, AK; a sister, Sr. Adela Gross, OSF of Little Falls; a sister-in-law, Francis Bacon, of Arlington Heights, IL; Mary Konen, who has been her dear friend for 80 years; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Anna Gross; her husband, Anthony; an infant daughter, Jane Karen; her brother, Carl and his wife, Lorraine Gross, and her brother, Gary and his wife, Cel Gross; and a son-in-law Roger Donek. Memorials will be directed to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. Arrangements entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Randall.