John Morasko

Glendive, Montana: John Morasko, 76 years old, passed away peacefully and pain-free on Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 15, 2009 in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A Vigil service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, May 15, 2009 in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic church in Glendive with Father Joseph Ponessa officiating. Rite of Committal will be in Dawson County cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. John was born on July 20,1932 the son of Frank and Mary (Legato) Morasko in Glendive. John attended Sacred Heart School, Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Dawson County High School with the class of 1949. John convinced the love of his life, Martha Ann Pickering, from El Dorado, Arkansas to marry him, and they started their life together on December 31, 1953. John lived with diabetes, neuropathy and constant pain for the last eighteen years with dignity, grace and a sense of humor, with the never-ending support of his wife, Ann and entire family. John's fight against diabetes, neuropathy and pain ended in renal failure. We now have the biggest and baddest Guardian Angel watching over us all. He was a machinist for Northern Pacific Railroad and worked on both steam and diesel engines for ten years. During this time, John also served in the Montana National Guard. In November of 1957, with two babies and one on the way, John decided to switch careers and began his journey with State Farm Insurance as an agent. It was at this time that John found a job he loved and a way to support his growing family. His career with State Farm provided the opportunity for John to exercise his love and compassion for his fellow man, his unfaltering sense of right and wrong and his anonymous, charitable actions towards those less fortunate than himself. A client recently shared the following sentiments on John and how he cared for his customers: John will always be remembered as "The Great Communicator". John would council young drivers about their driving habits – sometimes gently and other times not so gently. In either case, the young folks got the message. The message wasn't always about keeping their rates low, but more importantly, about the lifetime circumstances of being foolish. John always took the time to sit and visit with you and always asked about your family. Not just to make conversation, but because he actually cared. John's passing will leave an empty space in the heart of Glendive and mark the hearts of many with very fond memories. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and was admired and respected by our community. Thank you to Terry and Glennis Osborn for such a wonderful tribute to John. You summarized what he valued in his chosen profession beautifully. John missed his interactions with his clients after he retired December 31, 2003 after 46 years of dedicated service. While celebrating his retirement, he also celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary. John took on his interests with great passion and love no matter what it was. He loved hunting and fishing and many family adventures and memories were spent on Montana rivers and Yellowstone Park. John spent over ten years raising Quarter horses, and he loved the colts. His beloved champion Quarter horse Mr. Hepcat had John traveling around the United States and Canada to shows. Mr. Hepcat won many awards, ribbons and trophies that John proudly displayed in his office. As John's six children grew up, he turned his energy and passion into support for their activities, such as cooking for the swim team, campfire girls and football boys. John loved to watch football practice, football, basketball and baseball games, even if he did not have a son or daughter, grandchild, or niece or nephew on the field. He enjoyed watching the kids playing such wonderful sports and having a great time. John also bragged that Glendive had the best pep band in the state. After time, John's proud display of horse trophies and awards was replaced with pictures and awards of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was so very proud of his family and bragged about their scholastic honors, athletic honors, and their pursuits in life in general. The highlights of his travels once his children were all grown were his numerous trips to Italy. John was in full glory with his adventures through the villages, meat stands, town squares, and stopping in to all the churches and lighting candles for those he loved. Above all things, it was John's unconditional love for his family and friends, a love that did not waiver no matter how far his loved ones fell, or how high they soared. John will be known as a man of tremendous intelligence, common sense and perseverance, but to his family, he will be remembered for his deep love for his wife Ann. After 56 years of marriage, he still considered her the "prettiest girl in the room" and their love for each other burns bright, even in his passing. We should all learn from John to fill our lives with love as he did. Love of work, love of family, love of hobbies and love of life. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; Joe, Albert, Jerry and Paul Morasko, one sister Lorraine Morasko Mendenhall. Survivors include his wife Ann of Glendive; one son, Jay Morasko and his wife Shelly of Glendive; five daughters, Toni Morasko of Dickinson, North Dakota, Sandy Barnick and her husband David of Glendive, Gwyn Morasko of Long Beach, California, Sheila Raunig and her husband Mike of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Shelly Nearpass and her husband Brian of Billings, Montana; he is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Tara Ackerman and her husband Jason and their children Beau, Ase and Anthony, Brandi Kovash and her husband Dan and their children Drew, Jace and Bella, Gary Barnick and his wife Amanda and their children Abby and Joey, James Barnick and his wife Sarah and their children James and Brianna, Tia Morasko, Jaylin Knutson and her husband Nate, Vincent Morasko, John Barnick, Tom Barnick, Dan Raunig, Maria Raunig, Katie Nearpass and Ben Nearpass; John is also survived by one sister, Mary Kitzenberg and her husband Darrel of Plentywood, Montana; four sisters-in-law, Jackie Morasko, Janice Morasko, Doris Morasko and Noni Morasko; son-in-law; Carl Barnick and numerous nieces and nephews. John deserves a hero's welcome in heaven because he brought so much life and love to this earth while he was here. Vivi bene, ridi spesso e ama tanto. (Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much) Memorials are suggested to: Dawson County Boys and Girls Club, Box 875 Glendive, Glendive ABC Baseball, Box 333 Glendive, Glendive Medical Center Hospice Program, 202 Prospect Drive Glendive. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com John Morasko Tribute Video from Tribute Videos on Vimeo.

John Morasko

July 20, 1932 - May 16, 2009

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John Morasko

July 20, 1932 - May 16, 2009

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support