Josephine A. Lier

Josephine A. Lier, 86, lifelong Superior resident, died Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Golden Living of Superior. She was born on May 12, 1926 in Superior to Joseph and Anna (Urban) Zawin.

Josephine graduated from the former East High School. She had been employed at Bridgeman’s and the St. Joseph’s Children’s Home where she enjoyed working with the children and at Superior Memorial Hospital in the dietary department for many years.
She volunteered serving senior citizen lunches at Holy Assumption Catholic Church until she was eighty-two and she was known to many children at Pattison Elementary School as “Grandma Jo” when she worked there through Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program.

Josephine and her husband Clarence loved to play cribbage and looked forward to the Friday night cribbage tournaments at the Belgian Club. She and Clarence also loved to dance and would go dancing any chance they got.

Josephine was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy and she never missed an opportunity to tell them how much she loved them. In reply we would like to tell her “we love you more”.


Josephine was a member of Holy Assumption Catholic Church and its Sacred Heart Circle.

Josephine is survived by two sons, Norman (Sandra) Lier, Cross Plaines, WI, Lawrence (Thresa) Lier, Ridge Crest, CA and two daughters, MaryAnn (Alex) McCain, Superior, Patty (Matthew) Bordes, Superior; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Frank (Margaret) Zawin, Sheboygan, WI; one sister, Alvina “Nina” Wilson, Parump, NV and many nieces and nephews. Josephine also leaves behind her dear friend Helen Lundberg and her friend and care-giver, Lori Olson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence in 1993; her parents; two sisters, Regina Zawin and Mary Stranko; five brothers, Arnold, Ernest, Fred, Robert and Alphonse Zawin.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Assumption Catholic Church, 560l Tower Ave., Superior, with Rev. Fr. Ronald Olson as celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Carl Lindquist, Tyler Lindquist, Zac Seffrood, Mike Shupe, Dick Lier, and Hugh Smith.

Josephine’s family would like to thank the following organizations and their staffs for the wonderful care they provided to Josephine during her illness: Gentiva Home Care, Helping Hands Home Care, Dr. Amber Erickson and the Duluth Clinic ALS/MDA Clinic, Essentia Hospice and the especially the staff at Golden Living Care Facility. Your kindness will always be remembered.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The ALS Association MN Chapter@ webmn.alsa.org or by mail to:
ALS Association
333 North Washington Ave Suite 105
MPLS, MN 55401

Downs-LeSage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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