Nona Sulentich, age 83 of Virginia died Monday, January 7, 2013 in the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. She was born September 13, 1929 in Duluth, the daughter of Roy and Margaret (nee De Lagasy) Beck. She was a graduate of St. Jean de Baptiste High School in Duluth and the Glenwood Hills School of Psychiatric Nursing and remained friends with her classmates throughout her lifetime. She also attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. Nona worked for several years in various hospitals prior to moving to Virginia. Nona married Karl Sulentich in 1954 and had four children. She was a longtime Virginia resident.

She was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia. She was politically active in the Right to Life movement and was one of the founding members of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life in 1968 as well as an active member of the Together for Life prolife organization at Holy Spirit Church. She served as president of the CUFF Catholics United for the Faith and was an active member of the CEF Citizens for Educational Freedom. She believed strongly in the value of Catholic education and was an ardent supporter of Marquette Catholic School. She was also instrumental in organizing many May Crowning ceremonies through the years.

Nona exemplified the scripture verse of Sirach 6:14 – "a faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he that has found one has found a treasure."

Nona is survived by children: Dr. Therese Sulentich Pepelnjak of Lake Forest, IL, Mary Susan "Suzie" Sulentich of St. Paul, Anne Sulentich of St. Paul, and Karl Sulentich of Virginia; sister: Susan Medlin of Duluth; grandchildren: John Pepelnjak, Edward Pepelnjak, Divina Sulentich, Suzanne Scholljegerdes and Paula Scholljegerdes; niece: Dr. Kathleen Sulentich; nephew: Steven R. Carlson of Hermantown, great-grandchildren; and other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Karl.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia. Reverend Father John O'Donnell will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are to be directed to the Marquette School in Virginia in lieu of flowers.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation

Thursday January 10, 2013 , 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday January 10, 2013 , 11:00 a.m.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Interment

Thursday January 10, 2013 , 1:00 p.m.

Calvary Cemetery - Virginia