Mary Verrette

IRON MOUNTAIN - Mary Eileen Verrette, 86, of Iron Mountain, died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at Freeman's Nursing and Rehabilitation Community. She was born on May 25, 1921, in Soperton, Wis., the daughter of the late Wilbur and Eleanor (Fontaine) Kennedy. Mary graduated from Kingsford High School in 1939. She worked in the catalog department at J.C. Penney for 30 years until her retirement. Mary enjoyed being with all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary loved crocheting blankets for her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid Packer and Nascar fan and she thoroughly enjoyed her bridge club. Mary was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Elks Club, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Daughters of Isabella, the Iron Mountain-Kingsford GFWC and the Dickinson County Pilots Association. She married Edward A. Verrette on May 14, 1945, in Iron Mountain. He preceded her in death on March 10, 1975. Mary was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her and her smile. Her laughter that would light up a room will also be missed. Mary is survived by her children, Joanne (Bill) Backhaus of Genesee Depot, Wis., Patrick (Deena) Verrette of Iron Mountain, Don Verrette of Palatine, Ill., Mary (Doug Jr.) Sleik of Wallace, and Terese (Tom) Jahnke of Johnsburg, Ill.; 18 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren with two more expected this year; a daughter-in-law, Trudy Verrette of Kingsford; her loving sister, Eleanor Weitkunat of Greendale, Wis.; her brother-in-law, James (Barb) Verrette of Iron Mountain; her sister-in-law, Delores Cowell of Kingsford; and many nieces, nephews, and caring friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Michael E. Verrette; her daughter-in-law, Paula I. Verrette; her twin sister, Eleanor, who died at birth; and her brother, Robert J. Kennedy. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Fr. Paul Nomellini will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Brian Verrette, Michael Backhaus, Doug Sleik III, James Backhaus, Kevin Brown, and Jason Holman. The family would like to thank the staff at Freeman's Nursing and Rehabilitation Community, Loving Caring Hands, Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, Dickinson County Home Health and Dr. Funtanilla, Dr. Haastrup, Dr. Baker, and Dr. Fornetti. They would also like to thank the rehabilitation staff and the aides at ManorCare Health Services. Condolences to the family of Mary Eileen Verrette can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Mary Verrette

September 7, 1921 - September 7, 2007