Maralyn Faye (Taylor) Tabaka

Maralyn Faye Tabaka, 81, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2018 at Cuyuna Regional Hospital in Crosby, Minnesota.  After a long battle with stage 4 breast cancer, she is now our Guardian Angel.  Maralyn was born September 22, 1936 in Newtown, Pennsylvania to Mabel and Bill Taylor and grew up an only child.  She attended Council Rock High School and graduated in 1954 being involved in many clubs.  Her nickname by her classmates was Merle and her yearbook stated her passion was to move to Minnesota.  After graduation her family ventured all over out west looking for a place for her parents to buy a resort.  They fell in love with Longville and purchased a resort on Woman Lake later named Mae-Bill Resort.   Maralyn managed to spark curiosity in a local guy named Pat interested in the latest new “hot stuff” arriving in town.  After a short dating period, John Patrick Tabaka and Maralyn Faye Taylor went back to Pennsylvania and were married on December 3, 1955.  A few days later, they returned to Longville, were married in St. Edward’s Catholic Church and began their family.  First born was John Patrick Jr. “Jack” in May 1956 and Christine Merle was born in August 1957.  Maralyn lost her father Bill in 1958 and her mother later remarried Vincent Spencer.  Shelly Kay then was born in March 1959, followed by William Randall “Randy” in April 1960.  The family decided to move to Minneapolis where Pat did construction and Maralyn was worked at Dunkin Donuts and was raising their family when Lisa Dee was born in December of 1961.  Maralyn later worked many years building computer chips for Honeywell and in April of 1974 they welcomed Jennifer Lyn to the family.  Tragedy struck the family when their son, Randy, lost his life in an accident in Longville during Labor Day weekend later that same year. When the Red Owl became available to buy in 1975, Pat and Maralyn decided to move back up north, making Longville their home when they bought the grocery store.  In August of 1977, Nathan Taylor was born completing the final piece to the family.  Maralyn and John also purchased the Longville Chevrolet Garage/gas station, the One Stop Gas Station,built the Super Valu in 1985, built Patrick’s Fine Dining in 1986 and opened the Ridgewood Golf Course in 1987. 

Maralyn was known for her long and extensive hours of working, dedication, working tirelessly to always make others happy, comfortable and putting everyone else first.  She never complained, despite her own pain.  Maralyn was always there to help her family, friends, strangers and never turned anyone away.  She enjoyed numerous trips to Florida and Hawaii with family.  Her favorite was Marco Island, where they purchased a home and ventured every winter for the past 24 years. 

Most of all, Maralyn’s #1 passion was to make sure her family was always close to her, well provided for, safe, considerate and loved.  She also had a knack for bringing others together.  She was a quiet, sweet, loving and happy woman.  We have lost a treasure and a beauty.

Maralyn is preceded in death by her father; Bill, mother; Mabel, step-father; Vincent, son; Randy, daughter; Shelly and son-in-law; John. 

Maralyn leaves behind her dearest passion, her husband, John Patrick, her children; Jack (Laurie) Tabaka, Chris (Jeff) Bednarski, Lisa Tabaka, Jennifer Tabaka and Nathan (Mandy) Tabaka, her grandchildren; John, Shawn, James, Tim, Elizabeth, Cade, Camille, Rachel, Crystal, Ryan, Jessie, Jordan, Sierra, Austin, Reagan, Sydney, Gavin, 16 great grandchildren and her sweet dog Misty.  

Rest peacefully Momma.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Longville, MN.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m., also at the church.  Father Timothy Lange will officiate.  Helping to lay Maralyn to rest will be David Milless, Marco, Troy Likens, Austin Likens, Ron Blundell and Scott Carpenter.  Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at Longville, MN following Mass, with a luncheon at Patrick’s following the burial.

Maralyn’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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