Matthew M. Verdoljak, 81, of Superior, Wis. died Mon., June 20, 2011 in Essentia Health - St. Mary's, Duluth, Minn.

He was born Nov. 6, 1929 in Duluth to Katherine (Bonacich-Chivran) and Matthew B. Verdoljak.

Matt had served in the U. S. Army from 1946 to 1949.

He had been a member of St. William's Catholic Church in the Pattison Park area since it was built. He was a past president and director of the Head of the Lakes Electric Co. and the East Central Electric Co. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union Local No. 346 and the Elks Club No. 403.

Matt had been employed by U. S. Steel for twenty-two years as an inspector/laborer. He was a truck driver for Globe Concrete and had also worked at Haglund Marine as the parts manager.

He is survived by his wife of almost sixty-one years, the former Lucille Hendrickson; a daughter, Karen (Dale) Carlson of Hayward, Wis.; a son, Matt Verdoljak of Superior; a brother, Anthony Verdoljak of Duluth; and a sister, Rose Vokovich of Superior; six grandchildren, David, Joel, and Jon (Kara) Carlson, Matthew (Rena) and Corey Verdoljak, and Rachel (Mike) Burkholder; six great-grandchildren, Julia, Aurora, Kaleb, Madeline, Lauren, and Warren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Martin Verdoljak; three sisters, Helen Briski, Dorothy Blaisdell and Frances Murphy; and a brother, John Verdoljak.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Ave. & 19th St. on Fri., June 24th and will resume at 10:00 a.m. and continue until the 11:00 a. m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. William's Catholic Church on Sat., June 25th. Rev. Fr. Ron Olson will be the Celebrant. Committal prayers will be in Greenwood Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. where Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post No. 435. Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren.