Joseph Burich

          Joseph Burich, 98, longtime Coleraine resident, died Saturday, September 1, 2018 in his home.

          Born December 19, 1919 in Chisholm, he was the son of Blazo and Milosova (Lonchar) Burich.  He grew up in Chisholm and was a Chisholm High School graduate.  Joseph attended Hibbing Community College, the University of North Dakota and was a graduate of St. Cloud State University.  Joseph and Luverne A. Blonigen were married on July 17, 1953 in Chisholm.  He taught school in Sauk Rapids prior to coming to Greenway District 316 in 1947.  He taught business classes in the Greenway District and was the business manager prior to serving as the Superintendent of Schools for 10 years and then returned to teaching until his retirement in 1987.  Joseph was a member of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church of Hibbing, was a member of the Greenway Lions for many years, and served in many capacities; was a member of Hematite Lodge 274 A.F. & A.M. of Chisholm for over 50 years; served on the Koochiching – Itasca Community Action Council, the Itasca County Health and Human Services Board, the Itasca Nursing Home board, the Itasca Memorial Hospital board, the Itasca DAC board, and the Minnesota State High School League.

          His parents; his wife, Luverne in 2007; a daughter-in-law, Tami Burich; and siblings, Gordon, Peter, Robert, William, Dorothy, Stella, and Zora preceded him in death.

          Survivors include his children; Michael (Denise) Burich of Coleraine, Jeffery (Sue) Burich of Spearfish, SD, and Steven Burich of Allen, TX; grandchildren, Andrea (Travis) Westlake, Dylan Burich, Sarah (Blake) Myers, Mat Burich, Richard “R.J.” (Cyndi) Burich, Samuel (Emily) Burich, Joshua (Angela) Magill, and Holly Burich; great grandchildren, Natalie, Theodore, Calista, Lila, Leonidas, and Willem.

          Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, September 5, 2018 in the Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine and will continue from 9:30 AM until the 10:30 AM funeral service on Thursday, September 6, 2018 in St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, Hibbing.  Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine.

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