Constance H. 'Connie' Mukavitz

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Constance H. "Connie" Mukavitz, 77, of Jessieville Location, Ironwood, died Monday, June 2, 2014, at her home.

Connie was born in Hurley, Wis., on June 27, 1936, daughter of the late James and Celia (Kolarchek) Colosimo, and attended local schools, including St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and J.E. Murphy High School. She was raised in Cary Location with her two brothers and three sisters and a variety of livestock. She enjoyed ice skating on the nearby pond and being with family and friends. She attended Superior State Teachers College and graduated with her bachelor's degree in education.

She met her husband-to-be, Dave Mukavitz, on a blind date, and they were married on Aug. 16, 1958. They remained happily married for 55 years, raising three children, sons Steve and Scott, and daughter, Mary Kathryn. Connie substitute taught in the White Pine school system for more than 25 years and then five more years in the Ironwood school system after moving from White Pine to Ironwood in 1991. She had a passion for reading and teaching children. She volunteered her time in many areas, including the school library and Sunday school.

Connie was her three children's biggest and often loudest fan at all of their sporting events. She loved to cook, and the aroma of fresh bread or a raspberry pie could be smelled coming from the kitchen on any given afternoon. Most of all, she loved people. She could start a conversation with any stranger willing to engage with her. She would rarely miss a chance to go for coffee with the gang in White Pine and enjoyed annual canning events with her loving sisters. Her passion for entertaining and cooking brought family and friends together.

The first sign that Alzheimer's was setting in was noticed with her cooking ability. She was diagnosed with this disease in 2001 at the age of 65. It was unfortunate that it took Alzheimer's to finally stop her from conversing, but she was still able to sing a few songs and recite prayers with family and friends. Her husband Dave became a primary caregiver, and along with help from family, friends and dedicated caregivers Vicki and Donna, kept Connie safe and comfortable in a loving environment at their home in Jessieville.

Connie's zest for life and love of people will always be remembered. There wasn't a person she wouldn't help or occasion she didn't remember. She was a special wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and will be truly missed.

Connie is survived by two sons, Steve (Colleen), Houston, Texas, and Scott (Maria), Dearborn Heights; a daughter, Mary Kathryn (Tom) Britenfeld, Benton Harbor; seven grandchildren, Allie, Andrew, Emily and Rachel Mukavitz, and David, Megan and Jacob Britenfeld; a brother, Jim Colosimo, Kenosha, Wis .; two sisters, Marie Colosimo, Hurley, and Gloria (Steve) Uremovich, Two Harbors, Minn .; brothers- and sisters-in-law, William "Bobo" Mukavitz, Ironwood Township, Rudy (Margie) Mukavitz, Henderson, N.C., Betty Corolewski, Wausau, Wis., and Mary Ann (Jack) White, Hayward, Wis .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Risko; sister, Ruth Colosimo; sisters-in-law, Joanne Risko and Barbara Mukavitz; and brother-in-law, Eugene "Curly" Corolewski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

Rite of Committal and private interment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.