Miriam Hazel Gornick, age 94 of Soudan, died Friday, August 2, 2024 at the Cook Hospital.  She was born November 4, 1929 at home in Embarrass, the daughter of Henry and Hilma (Mikkola) Sipola.   She married Martin J. Gornick on March 19, 1947, and is a lifelong resident of Tower/Soudan.

            Miriam was a huge supporter of music and the arts from a young age.  She helped to get the band started in the Embarrass school while she was a student there.  She often wrote poetry for the school paper and different events throughout her life.  She organized many talent shows for the Tower-Soudan music department and the local food shelf.

            She was employed at the Tower Bakery as a fryer.  She maintained a large garden for many years, canning everything the family couldn’t eat so there were veggies and pickles year-round. Miriam was a wonderful seamstress, sewing everything from school clothes to costumes for musicals, plays and Halloween, to upholstering furniture.

Miriam did anything for her grandchildren and was full of surprises- from pelting the grandkids with marshmallows as they walked in the door, to hiking the hill behind the house, to roller-skating in the Catholic Church parking lot (even though she didn’t let go the truck), to riding on the 3-wheeler, she was always game.  She always let them play in her flour drawer and would equip them with aprons, spoons, cups and a sifter.

But most important to her was her church and prayer life.  When she was unable to attend mass anymore, she would watch the mass on EWTN, said the Rosary with mother Angelica daily, and would watch the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily.  It was the only channel that was on her bedroom TV.

She was quick to lend comfort and care to those in need.  She loved children and one would be hard pressed to find a better mom, grandmother, great grandmother or friend.  She shared her soft heart with everyone. 

She is survived by her children:  Martin A. Gornick of Bradenton, FL, Bernadette Hendrickson of Duluth, Carmen (Robert J.) Dale of Soudan, and Domonique Schumacker of Mt. Iron;  Siblings:  James Sipola, Margaret Skube, and Doris Sipola;  Grandchildren:  Denise (Kai) Bunge, Carrie Grose, Kimirenee (Usher) Belgacem, Nichole (Bryan) Chiabotti, Aaron Gornick, Jillian (Mike) Anderson, Gerald (Gracia) Hendrickson, Troy Hendrickson, Tara Schumacker, and Brianna Schumacker;  15 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous extended relatives and friends.

Miriam was preceded in death by her parents; husband:  Martin J.;  Son:  Franklin Gornick;  Siblings:  William Sipola, Harriet Mattson, Betty Hill, Ruth Alaspa, and Jeanette Mattson;  and one great-great grandson: Finley Boutto.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower.  A visitation will begin one hour prior.  Father Beau Braun, celebrant.  Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Tower.

Family Services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.  To leave a remembrance online see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.