James R. Stefanko

James R. Stefanko, 83, Superior, died Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center, Hospice Unit in Duluth, MN.

He was born on May 31, 1929 in Superior to John and Rosie(Furiak) Stefanko and was a lifelong Superior resident.
He served in the United States Army.

Jim married Georgina Soderlund on June 9, 1951 and recently celebrated sixty-one years of marriage.

He was employed as a carpenter with Lakehead Constructors retiring in 1991.

He has also been employed at Campbell Lumber, J.R. Jensen, Rueben Johnson and Johnson Wilson.


Jim was a member of the Carpenters Union of Duluth for fifty-five years. He was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Duluth Building Trades and Catholic Order of Forresters.

In addition to his wife Georgina, Jim is survived by four daughters, Kathleen Flaherty, Duluth, Susan Sleezer, Oshkosh, WI, LuAnn (Terry) Avery, South Range, WI, Mary Jo (Columbus) Efaw-Nobles, Oklahoma City, OK; eight grandchildren, Ryan (Arin Adams) Flaherty, Duluth, Joseph (Rena) Flaherty, Superior, Terra (C. John) Pearson, Superior, Ashley (Joseph Gobin) Avery, Oshkosh, WI, Nicholas and Thomas Efaw and Nicholas and Gerritt Nobles, all of Oklahoma City, OK; two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Carter Pearson, Superior; one brother, Joseph Stefanko, West Allis, WI; three sisters, Margaret Smith, Angeline Timmerman and Dorothy (Russell) Heytens, all of Superior and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Mary Stefanko, Pauline Tyson and Anne Stefanko; one brother, John Stefanko; two sons-in-law, Wayne Sleezer and Bradley Efaw and three brothers-in-law, Henry “Bill” Smith, Leo Timmerman and Gilbert Tyson and one sister-in-law, Eleanor Stefanko.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM Saturday, July 21, 2012 until the 10:30 AM Memorial Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant.

A private family burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

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.