For seven of those years she lived in an Austrian refugee camp while his aunt raised him on a Slovenian farm.
Tony immigrated to America in 1959 and reunited with his mother.
Forty-three years and four wonderful children later, he serves as the chief executive officer of one of Joliet's most celebrated organizations, Kranjsko Slovenska Katoliska Jednota, or KSKJ.
Mravle turned 60 on Nov. 22.
In addition to his 60th birthday, November was also the month that features Mrvale's 30-year anniversary with KSKJ, known as the American Slovenian Catholic Union.
"I never dreamed that I would be where I am today," said Mravle at a recent surprise party thrown in his honor at KSKJ's home office in Joliet. "America has given me the freedom that wasn't possible in Slovenia."
KSKJ, formed in 1894, originally came about as a "fraternal benefit society to provide for widows and orphans of Slovenian immigrants." Today, nearly 30,000 members coast-to-coast make up some 70 lodges in the KSKJ family.
The organization prides itself on the strength of its members and the benefits afforded them. From life insurance to annuity products, KSKJ has a passionate mission from its founding fathers that centers on "a vibrant community, strong in faith, rooted in family, connected by love."
Mravle's journey saw him arriving in America at the age of 17. His mother had found a safe haven in Cleveland, since the city had a large Slovenian population. While in Cleveland, Mravle was first introduced to KSKJ by his stepfather.
"Their sense of family was strong at KSKJ," said Mravle, who has been KSKJ's CEO since 1999. "And they [KSKJ] showed great dedication to their faith and heritage. I felt good being around the people and wanted to do more with my life."
Spending time in the U.S. Army in both Georgia and Alaska, Mravle later attended college at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks where he graduated with two degrees, one in business administration in 1971 and the second in economics in 1972.
Shortly after, he and his wife, Judy, whom he met in college while she was "decorating" an elevator, packed up a half-ton truck and embarked on a three-week trek from Anchorage, Alaska to Joliet by way of Cleveland. Once in Joliet, Mravle was hired as the supreme treasurer of KSKJ.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Mravle also developed a passion for the game of soccer as a youth. "In Europe, soccer is seen as everything," said Mravle, who coached soccer for more than 10 years at the Joliet Park District. "Soccer is the equivalent to America's baseball."
Apparently soccer became more that just a sport around the Mravle house where three sons and one daughter took it seriously.
The Slovenian ancestors who began KSKJ believed that they could help more people, especially their own, by uniting versus being separate. Mravle agrees that this philosophy rings true with soccer as well.
"Whether I'm involved with KSKJ or with soccer, I've learned that there is no one person that can do it all," said Mravle. "If you work as an individual, you will fail."
Strong words from a coach whose team once got him a shirt that read "Tony Mravle eats soccer refs alive."
The immediate Mravle family is a humble, close-knit one consisting of University of St. Francis alumni Tony Sr. and younger brother Mike; third youngest and University of Iowa graduate Marie; and the youngest, Tom, who attends Purdue University.
"Our children embrace the strong family values that are ever-present within the Slovenian community," said Judy Mravle.
"They have all been on international religious missions as well as having donated countless hours of service to the Joliet community."
Slovenians traditionally make family their No. 1 priority.
"In this culture, parents incubate their children," said Judy Mravle, who is of Mexican and Comanche Indian decent. "From an early age, parents play an extremely integral role in their children's development."
Rudy Krasovec, national president-elect of KSKJ, flew in from Pueblo, Colo., for the celebration.
"Tony is invaluable to this organization," said Krasovec, who begins his presidential term Jan. 1. "He's such a positive person and has the integrity and work ethic to keep KSKJ on top."
Both Krasovec and Mravle cited the younger generations as playing key roles in the growth and further development of KSKJ.
"We need to make KSKJ more visible to our younger people," said Krasovec. "More interactive social outings would make us more appealing. The youth are our future and our leaders."
Mravle says that being involved with KSKJ "isn't a job, it's an honor. It kind of grows on you. The support structure is stellar and the friendships will last a lifetime."
"The service Tony has given to his people through KSKJ is immeasurable. His deep-rooted passion is second to none. KSKJ is his calling, his passion, and his life," said Judy Mrvale.
"I'm elated for my kids' personal success stories," said Mrvale. "If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. My family means the world to me. Now I'm really looking forward to raising all the grandkids they've promised."
For more information on KSKJ including a calendar of events and the latest lodge activities, visit kskjlife.com./
Scott Deininger can be reached via e-mail at ShaveYourHead.com
12/01/02
