Geraldine "Gerrie" Marie Mach

Geraldine Marie Mach (Faricy)

Born 10/3/21 in Grand Rapids, MN and joined her Lord on 10/16/18 at the age of 97.  In her youth, the Faricy family lived around the country as her father moved to where there was construction work.  She graduated from North High School, in Minneapolis in 1939.  Following her desire to become a teacher, she attended Itasca Community College for two years before transferring to St. Catherine’s University, from which she graduated in 1944.  Gerrie taught Physical Education at Derham Hall and St. Catherines.

She met her future husband, Ralph, on a blind date in 1944 in New Prague, MN.  They married on June 23, 1945 in Grand Rapids, MN.  Their first home was in Chicago where they welcomed their first child, Margi.  Soon after, they moved to Foley, MN where their son, Butch, was born.  In 1948, they moved to Rush City, where they had three more children: Tom, Katy and Liz.  In 1953, just as they were about to set up their home Pine City, Ralph was called back to military service and Gerrie moved her young family to Richfield.  Upon completion of his time in the military, they picked up their family again and moved permanently to Pine City.  In their big white house on 7^th Street, they welcomed three more children: Patrick, Chris and Mary Sue. That home became the central gathering point for the ever-expanding family for the next 60+ years.

Gerrie was a very involved mother.  She could be found volunteering at St. Mary’s Catholic School for her children and grandchildren.  She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters.  She served for over 20 years on the Pine City Schools Curriculum Committee.  Gerrie was consistently an active member in the Catholic Council, serving as its Chair for various terms.  Always attune to the needs of the community, she also served as an Election Judge and on the Pine City Planning Commission. 

Once her kids were older, Gerrie became an avid golfer and bridge player.  She and Ralph enjoyed golfing together and Gerrie also played in the Women’s League.  Her enjoyment of bridge carried through into her 90’s, when she would still be found attending a monthly gathering of friends, old and new.  Always an avid reader, she participated in a community book club during her frequent trips to the library. 

While she was the keeper of the home, Gerrie was also an adventurer.  Whether taking long road trips with kids in the car, or traveling with Ralph to Mexico, Europe or Australia, Gerrie loved having new experiences.  She also took great pride in her Irish and Swedish heritage and had many mementos from friends and family that reflected that pride.  Culminating a lifetime of listening to her sons and daughters talk about the beauty of the northwoods, Gerrie even took a Boundary Waters Canoe trip with some of her daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters when she was 75 years old! 

Geraldine had a great faith and was devoted to her home parish at Immaculate Conception as well as the diocese and worldwide Catholic church.  She and Ralph welcomed many missionaries into their home and were so proud of Liz’s work with Maryknoll Lay Missioners.  Gerrie instilled her love of God and Church in her children and grandchildren.  Each of her 17 grandchildren and 27 great-children were the pride and joy of her life.  She thrilled in attending baptisms, confirmations, and weddings.  She loved watching them participate in church and school activities, and even when she became less mobile; she would always want to hear about life from each of them.  She relished the annual gatherings of her extended family in October for her birthday and around the holidays.

A life well lived, good and faithful servant.

Gerrie is survived by her children:  Margaret Mary (Leslie) Kotek of Champlin, Byron “Butch” (Nancy) Mach of Pine City, Thomas (Kathy) Mach of Little Falls, Katy (Al) Mattson of Independence, Elizabeth Mach of Tanzania, East Africa, Patrick (Lisa) Mach of Bloomington, Chris (Cheryl) Mach of Excelsior, Mary Sue (Michael) Long of St. Louis Park; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Esther Faricy; husband Dr. Ralph Mach; sister Marilyn Moriarty; 1 niece.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Gerrie: 10:30 AM; Monday, October 29, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned from 3 - 6 PM Sunday, October 28, 2018 with a Rosary at 5:30 PM at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City and also one hour prior to the Mass in St. Anthony Commons at the church.  The interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pine City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested: Maryknoll Lay Missionaries, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or A Place For You.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.  www.FuneralAndCremationService.com