Marija Ivanica Marasović (F)
b. 17 August 1904, d. 14 November 1988
Pedigree
Family_Line=M
Res_Rqrd=Y

     Marija Ivanica Marasović was born on 17 August 1904 at Split, Dalmatia, daughter of Andrija Marasović and Ivanica Marasović.^2,3,4,1

Marija Ivanica Marasović at age 3 and Ivanica Marasovich at age 35 and Zora Marasović at age 8 and Draga Marasović at age 4 arrived as immigrants aboard the SS Pannonia on 19 September 1907 at Ellis Island, New York, New York. Final destination was with Andrija Marasovich at 1801 South 2nd Street St. Louis, Missouri.⁵

She lived with Andrija Marasović and Ivanica Marasovich and Draga Marasović and Zora Marasovich in October 1907 at 1801 South 2nd Street, St. Louis, Missouri.⁵ She lived with Andrija Marasović and Draga Marasović, Edward Joseph Marasovic, Zora Marasovich and Ivanica Marasovich in 1911 at 1621 South 2nd (rear), St. Louis, Missouri. Spelling of name 'Andrew Marasofitch' in St Louis city directories is wrong, but believe we have the correct Andrew. Andrija is listed as a laborer. Family members are not listed. Could not find Marasovich name in St Louis city directories of the same time frame.^6,7,8,9,10 She lived with Andrija Marasović and Ivanica Marasovich and Draga Marasović, Edward Joseph Marasovic and Annie Marasovich circa 1920 at 9120 Mackinaw Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. From the census, it appears to be a multiple unit home with at least four families; all with origins in Croatia.¹¹

Marija Ivanica Marasović was enumerated with Andrija Marasović on the census of 5 January 1920 at Chicago as Mary Marasovich. Listed as 15 years old, year of immigration 1907, alien, attending school, able to read and write, born in Croatia, father and mother born in Croatia, speaks English, occupation 'none'.¹²
As of 26 February 1922,her married name was Kovačević.¹³

Marija married Mate Kovačević, son of Ivan Kovačević and Marija Martić, on 26 February 1922 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Croatian Catholic Church, 2864 E. 96th Street, Chicago, Illinois. Wedding attendees included Draga Marasović, John Bracic and Reverend J Z Terrich Rector. Some time later Mate changed his name to "Kovack". It is understood that he did this so his name could better appear on a saloon sign.¹³ Her married name was Kovack. At age 19, Marija became the mother of Lorraine Rose Kovack on 13 June 1924. Her death certificate shows a birth date of 13 June 1923.² At age 22, Marija became the mother of James Kovack on 13 May 1927 at Chicago, Illinois.¹⁴ On 3 October 1927, Mary Kovack secured title of Lot 13 (10643 Avenue F) from Union Bank of Chicago apparently to recognize payment of mortgage of 1 May 1925.¹⁵ She lived with Matthew Kovack and Lorraine Rose Kovack and James Kovack from 1928 to 1988 at 10643 Avenue "F", Chicago, Illinois. Daughter Lorraine moved out when she married some years earlier.⁴ Andrija Marasović, Ivanica Marasovich, Edward Joseph Marasovic, Sister Mary Andrew Marasovich Order of Carmel, Joseph August Granich, Florence Barbara Granich, Marie Evelyn Granich, Genevieve A. Granich, Lorraine Rose Kovack, Unknown Padzich, Nikola Malenica, Marija Ivanica Kovack, Mate Kovačević, Zora Granich, Joseph Melvan, Joseph Komar, Joseph Hrstich, Mate Hrstich, Petar Koljanin, Mary Hrstich, Anna Hartman, Dorothy Josephine Granich, James Kovack and Mary Furlan attended the wedding of Jakov Radja and Draga Marasović on 4 May 1929 at Chicago.^16,17,18,19 She was during the Great Depression forced to move from their house for about two years to have Mary and the kids live with Zora Granich. Mate had to live in South Chicago because there wasn't enough room at the Graniches. The house was rented out at $45 per month. Sister Carolyn Radja claims to have brought food for them to eat. Circa 1935 at 10633 Avenue "O", Chicago, Illinois.²⁰ She was later moved to live with parents Andrija and Ivanica Marasovich at 10732 Avenue O in Chicago for about six months. Mate apparently continued to live as a boarder in South Chicago..²¹ She was then required to live with relatives (Mate's widowed sister) on a farm in Michigan for two years, while Mate continued in South Chicago..²¹ She was an attendee when Andrija Marasović and Ivanica Marasovich were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with family members on 2 March 1947 at 10732 Avenue "O", Chicago, Illinois.²²
Marija received a letter about 4 April 1952, from James Kovack,aboard the SS Atlantic Navigator, at Aransas Pass, Texas. He gave his mom his mailing address and asked for a letter back.²³ She was naturalized on 5 February 1957 at Chicago describing her as fair complexion with blue eyes and brown-grey hair, 5 ft 3 in tall and 130 pounds and listing her as Mary Kovach.⁴ She and Carolyn Radja, Edward Joseph Marasovic, Zora Granich and Sister Mary Andrew Marasovich Order of Carmel were the heirs of the estate of Ivanica Marasovich probated on 27 October 1961 at Probate Court of Cook County, Richard J. Daley Center, Chicago, Illinois. Caroline Radja and Edward Marasovich acted as Executors.

They were 'bonded' for $11,500 for faithful discharge of their duties.

The estate was valued approximately as $5,000 Personal and $5,000 Real Estate.

The heirs were identified as Edward Marasovich, Caroline Radja, Mary Kovack, Zorka Granich and Anna Marasovich (aka Sister Mary Andrew)

On 27 October 1961, Caroline Radja was called to testify as to the legitimacy of the five children heirs of Ivanica.

On 20 November 1961, Dr. Leo H. Holm, M.D. filed a claim for $25 against the estate. His service was for anesthesia for a fractured hip on 28 June 1961.

For a fee of $13 the probate was published in the 'Chicago Daily Law Bulletin' on 31 October 1961 and November 7-14 1961.

Mr. D.M. Knight and Counsel Vincent Knaus were called to testify, on 27 October, that they witnessed the signing, on 11 September 1958, by Ivanica of the will being probated. Official Reporting Service of the Probate Court billed the estate $17 documenting the will proof. This was a revised will from the one signed on 22 August 1957. This new will included in the probate file is illegible.

On 30 November 1961, Mr. Jerome J. Smerz, appraiser, testified that no 'goods or chattels' of the estate have come to his knowledge.

The Claude E. Griesel Mortuary, represented by Grace Griesel, submitted a voucher of $1,701.05 for 'Directorial Services' in the funeral of Ivanica. This included $795 for the casket.

On 1 November, the Executors submitted to the Court an inventory of estate assets:
1. Unecumbered and unimproved Lot 13, adjacent to 10732 Ave O, Chicago.
2. Unecumbered Lot 14 improved with a one and a half story frame residence containing two apartments, 6 rooms up and 3 rooms down.
3. Unecumbered and unimproved Lot 15, adjacent to 10732 Ave O, Chicago.
4. Savings account at Steel City National Bank account #17959 for $5,513.20
5. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company policy #56855751, dated 22 April 1918, on life of Ivanica, proceeds of $50.10.

Total cash proceeds of $7,112.11 minus costs for various administrative fees and services (including $375 for each of the two executors) of $2,262.00 and debts of $1,742.05 leaving cash on hand for distribution of $3,108.06. The distribution to each of the five heirs was then $421.61 plus $1,000 to Caroline Radja according to the will dated 11 September 1958. Sale proceeds of the three lots and building is NOT mentioned.²⁴ On 5 November 1962 the title to the real estate (three lots and one building) Of Ivanica Marasovich was transferred to her five heirs Edward Marasovich, Caroline Radja, Mary Kovack, Zorka Granich and Anna Marasovich.²⁵ On 23 December 1963 the title to the real estate (three lots (13, 14 & 15) and one building) of heirs Edward Marasovich, Caroline Radja, Mary Kovack, Zorka Granich and Anna Marasovich from Ivanica Marasovich was transferred to Angelo and Hanna DiCianni of Chicago. No sale price was mentioned.^26,27 Angelo & Hanna DiCianni, purchasers of Ivanica Marasovich's inherited three lots immediately secured a mortgage from The Steel City National Bank of Chicago for $12,500 for lots 14 & 15. It can be assumed that this is close to what they paid the heirs on transfer of the title. So the heirs received about $2,500 each.²⁸ She died in a nursing home on 14 November 1988 at Chicago at age 84.^2,3 She was buried in November 1988 in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery located in Calumet City, Illinois.³

Last Edited=27 Jul 2009