Imelda S. "Big Mel" Harnstrom

Imelda S. “Big Mel” Harnstrom, lifelong Superior resident, died Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Essentia Health St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.

She was born in Superior on May 26, 1934, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Iwasko) Zielinski, the eleventh of their twelve children.

She attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and was a 1952 graduate of the former East High School.

She married Jack Harnstrom, Sr., on October 8, 1955 and had recently celebrated fifty-eight years of marriage.

She was a homemaker and the head bookkeeper at the former Superior National Bank.

She was a former member of the St. Francis Xavier Church and the Polish Club. She loved caring for children.

She loved riding her bike, walking and enjoyed country music and an occasional trip to the casino.

She also loved spending time with family and friends especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a Minnesota Vikings and the New York Yankees fan.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, Sr, Superior; two daughers, Nancy (Bob) Anderson, Superior, Jill (JoAnn Leszcynski) Harnstrom, Superior; one son, Jack (Jonathan Hill) Harnstrom, Superior; two grandsons, Josh (Sara) Parr, New Richmond, WI and Rick Hammer, Superior; two great-grandsons, Evan Allen Parr and Kasen Robert Parr; three sisters, Gloria Norris, Iowa, Rita (Greg) Sullivan, Nebraska and Marie Farnsworth, Florida; one brother, Stanley (Joyce) Zielinski, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews; special friends, Janice Kolstad, Carol Ahlborg, June Mattison, Doris Perala and Natalie Dahl.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Isabelle Swanson and Adele Schuler; five brothers, Edmund, Hank, Ted, Art and John Zielinski; one son-in-law, Richard “Dick” Hammer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jean and John Flynn, Lillian and George Harnstrom and Jim Harnstrom.

Imelda’s family would like to extend a special thanks to her cardiologist, Dr. Mark Neustal of Essential Health St. Mary’s Medical Center and Lori Randa, administrator at Villa-Marina and the wonderful, caring staff of caregivers at the Villa-Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center.

As per Big Mel’s request, visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and will continue until the 10:30 AM Celebration of Life on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the activity room at Villa-Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center, 35 No. 28th St., Superior, with Rev. John Maynard, officiating.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.