Roberta 'Bea' Ranta

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Roberta “Bea” Ranta, 64, of Airport Road, Ironwood Township, died unexpectedly Saturday, April 20, 2013, in Wausau, Wis., with her family by her side.

She was born March 6, 1949, in Ironwood, daughter of Sam and June (Brown) Misuraco. Roberta attended the Norrie Grade School and graduated from the Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1967.

She was married to Joe Ranta at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood on Dec. 30, 1967. They resided in Swartz Creek where Roberta was employed as a beautician, waitress and caterer. She enjoyed crafts, painting, traveling and music. She was a volunteer at school and at the Genesee County SPCA.

Roberta was a good cook, enjoyed making cookies, antiques, bowling and bingo. She especially enjoyed playing scrabble with her husband Joe, as well as spending time with her grandchildren. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years; a son, Joe (Adriana) Ranta, and granddaughter, Chloey, of Mason; a daughter, Amy Ranta, and grandson, Connor Douglass, of West Chester, Ohio; her father, Sam Misuraco, of Ironwood; three brothers, Jack (Cathy) Brown, of Hurley, twin brother Robert (Doris) Misuraco, of Ironwood, and Rick (Joan) Misuraco, of Minneapolis; two sisters, Marge Abramson, of Hurley, and Sandy Doney, of Ironwood; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Vivian Ranta, of Hurley, Elizabeth Ranta, of Ironwood, Marie (Gordy) Gurske, of Gile, Wis., Margo (Ron) Rantanen, of Ishpeming, and Kathy (Marv) Maki, of Ironwood Township.

She was preceded in death by her mother, June Misuraco; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jerry Abramson, Albert Doney, Bonnie Misuraco, Wesley Ranta, Arthur Ranta and Pat Ranta.

Numerous nieces and nephews and relatives survive.

Funeral services will be held at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Chips Paulson will officiate.

Roberta’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, April 24, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday.

A luncheon will follow the service at Tacconelli’s.

Cremation will take place and spring inurnment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Memorial contributions are preferred to the Hope Animal Shelter, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, caringbridge.org or a charity of one’s choice.

Roberta’s obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.