Anita
(Vitali) and Frank Vovk
Anita Marie Therese Vitali Vovk was the fourteenth and last child born to Anna and Joseph Vitali on September 8, 1933. Anita was born in Chisholm, Minnesota, where she resided for 29 years.
Anita was enrolled in nursery school at the age of 2 1/2 years old at the Lincoln Elementary School. She continued her education through the Chisholm school system and graduated in 1951.
Anita was introduced to her future husband, Frank, in 1950. The Korean Conflict hampered the courtship as Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army in November of 1950. After his tour of duty which included time in Korea, Frank returned to the states in May of 1952 and was discharged in August.
Anita and Frank were engaged on May 17, 1952 and were married on September 6 of that year. They made their home in Chisholm until 1962 when they moved to Aurora, Minnesota, where they continue to reside.
Anita and Frank are now enjoying the Retirement Life, traveling south in the winter months and family visits to Slovenia in the summer months when time permits.
Anita and Frank brought six absolutely wonderful, halo-laiden children into this world over a period of 15 years. The first was
Kathryn Jo, on August 9, 1953. Next in line was one great bundle of joy, Frank Jr. (or maybe the III, or IV) on March 3, 1955. An interesting side note to this timely birth is that Frank made his first friend on March 4, 1955 when Brian Marturano was born to Paul and Florence in the Chisholm Hospital. Frank and Brian are friends to this day and see each other quite often. Next in line is Mary Ann, born into this world just in time to screw up a holiday on July 3, 1958. Then came another party pooper when Robert Joseph was born on July 1, 1960. After moving to Aurora, Anita and Frank found that the new home was seemingly empty and opted for yet another kid. Therese was born on September 2, 1962. After a long dry spell, they were blessed with their final child, Lisa, born on December 1, 1968.
This photo was taken in 1954.
This photo of the fabulous six was taken in 1992, and was given to Anita and Frank for their 40th wedding anniversary. I prefer another photo taken that
same day. You may find the other photo elsewhere in these archives.
Here is Frank standing in the bucket of one of the larger shovels at Eveleth Taconite company. Frank began his mining career at the Godfrey underground mine near Kitzville, Mn in 1949. He worked there until 1955, then transferred to the Sherman/Hull Rust/Monroe Pit, were he began (1957)and completed his electical apprenticeship (1961). In 1961 he transferred to Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes, MN. In October of 1965 he went to work building the Fairlane Plant at Eveleth Taconite Company in Forbes, MN. When the plant was completed he hired on as an Electrician. Frank retired from the working world in February 1991.
Frank and Anita's Weding Day -
September 6, 1952
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Chisholm, Minnesota
By Monsignor J.E. Schiffer
Attendants were:
Josephine Vitali, Marlene Vitali, Helen Kotonias
John Pagliaccetti Jr., Stanley Samsa, James Vitali
Ushers were:
John Kotonias, Frank Sterle Jr.
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