Martha Czerniak

Martha (Berlik) Mary Czerniak, 93, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2017, surrounded by her loving family, while receiving prayers, music and support from all over the map, as is the strong Polish tradition.  Martha was born to Alice & Steve Berik in Cloquet on May 16, 1923, and graduated with honors from Cloquet HS in 1941.  She got involved in the Scouts at a very early age and was proud to be a troop leader for many years. Her training for 2 weeks took place in Wilkes-Barre PA. She met her husband to be, Joe Czerniak, when she hired his band, The Polka Dots, for a Valentine’s Day Father Daughter dance.  After Joe, the “love of her life”, came home from serving in the Army Air Corp during WW II, they were married in Cloquet in 1945 meal catered by Grandma Alice

While raising 4 children and holding down a physically challenging job at Wahl’s Department Store for 20 years, Martha was always hosting, feeding and entertaining family, students and musicians at their teaching home on Martha Street.  Family, her Catholic faith and, of course, music were at the core of her being and were on full display when hosting a holiday dinner, attending their regular St. Benedict’s ReNew group or dancing a Polka at a music festival or cruise in Anywhere, USA.  Martha loved the outdoors    enjoyed fishing, harvesting all types of fruit & vegetable in her gardens. Canning, pickling for all to share. All those family trips to her brother Louis’s retreat in Canada allowed her to pay it forward.  She welcomed all into her home, was a second mother to many and will be welcomed into Heaven with open arms.  She’ll dance polkas with Joe her “Valentine” of 77 yrs.  Meanwhile her son Bill & daughter JoAnn play the concertina while Mike drums and sings Polish tunes.

Martha was preceded in death by husband Joe on Feb 15 2016; her parents, Alice and Steve Berlik; brother Louis; daughter JoAnn Nesgoda, 2001; son Bill, 2002; son-in-law Michael Nesgoda, 2015; and Godchild Floss Romanek. She is survived by son Greg (Julianne) of Tucson, AZ; daughter Annette (Bob) Meyers of Anoka, MN; daughter-in-law Mary Lou Czerniak of Shoreview, MN; grandchildren Erik (Yuko) Nesgoda, AZ; Chad (Laetitia) Czerniak, San Diego, CA; Mindy Meyers, Fort Collins, CO; Jill Czerniak, Cleveland, OH; Tami (Grey) Moon, Minneapolis, MN; Kate Czerniak, Maplewood, MN; Troy (Kelly) Meyers, Andover, MN; Daniel Czerniak, Shoreview, MN; and Marissa Meyers, Tucson, AZ; 2 very special great grandchildren Lael Czerniak in CA and Sophia Moon in MN; many close cousins, nieces,  nephews, and students with extended families that brought much joy to her long life.

Heartfelt HUGE thanks to all the staff at Westwood, BHC, and Essentia Hospice for their special love care and special efforts.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday, February 3, with an internet prayer song “Polish Lullaby” at 6:45 at Dougherty Funeral Home. Visitation continues Saturday, February 4, at Noon until a 1 PM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 1419 St. Benedict's Street, Duluth followed by a reception and lunch.  Burial at the Polish Cemetery near Calvary will take place on Monday, February 6, at 11 AM, where family will witness the blessing of Martha & Joe being reunited.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please send a memorial to Westwood/BHC in Duluth, or support with your time, talent and treasure in Martha’s very name at a senior center near you................... Dziekuje Ci ….THANK YOU ALL........!!!

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St., Duluth,

(218) 727-3555