Jean Consie

APPLETON, Wis. - The family of Jean Consie announces with sadness her passing at the age of 92 on Dec. 30, 2013, from congestive heart failure. We celebrate her life as we mourn her death. We carry within us the love that we shared with her. We are grateful to have experienced in our lives her nurturing ways, her support, her encouragement and her sweetness. Her spirit will live forever within us.

Jean Rigoni Consie was born March 20, 1921, in Bessemer Township, Mich., to Tomazo and Maria (Costa) Rigoni. Her family moved to Ironwood, Mich., when she was 3 years old. She attended parochial and public schools in Ironwood, graduating from St. Ambrose High School in 1938. After graduation she worked for a time at the Jiffy Hamburger Shop, John Albert's Jewelry Shop and the Curry Hotel.

On July 4, 1942, she married Walter R. Consie of Hurley. They were married by Rev. J.B. Moriarty at the St. Ambrose rectory. The couple moved to Rockford, Ill., for two years before moving back to Ironwood in 1944. Five years ago, Jean moved to Appleton and resided with her daughter.

Jean enjoyed being a homemaker, providing her family with wonderful, nutritious meals which always included fantastic desserts. Great times were spent around the table enjoying Italian meals made from scratch: polenta and chicken, gnocchi, ravioli, risotto, homemade pasta and meatballs. Her spare time was spent sewing, tailoring, knitting and crocheting extensively for her children and grandchildren. She also found pleasure in decorative painting in her later years, creating many cherished pieces for her family. Her children and grandchildren cherish her creativity. Mom's days were busy and filled with loving her family.

When her children were grown, she found fulfillment as a supervisory aide for the Expanded Nutrition Program through the Extension Office of Michigan State University.

Jean was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Parish. She was a former CCD teacher, sang in the Resurrection choir, served on Ministry of Care, was a charter member of the Rosary Group and also belonged to the Intercessory Prayer Group.

Jean is survived by her four children, Robert (Maryann), Ironwood, Jean and Judy, Appleton, and Jerry (Mary), Mesa, Ariz .; four grandchildren, Brent (Michelle), Duluth, Minn., Ryan (Crissa), Southern Pines, N.C., Michael (Lisa), Duluth, and Anna, Mesa; four great-grandchildren, Sophia Rose, Duluth, Maya Faith and Layla Stephanie Grace, Southern Pines, and Thomas Robert, Duluth; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, on June 19, 1998; her parents; her mother- and father-in-law, Oswald and Anna (Zimke) Consie; her sisters, Emily Armichardy and Mary Bobcanik; a brother-in-law, Wilbert Consie; and sisters-in-law, Anna Colassacco, Alma Badovski, Frieda Bodouski, Ruth Schleker, Esther Siirila, Evelyn Korpi and Dorothy Cricks.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 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 interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.

Pallbearers will be Jean's four grandchildren, and Jason Pallin and Robert Colassacco.

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

The family is grateful for the excellent care provided to our mother by her cardiologist, Dr. Wojciech Nowak, and cardiology nurse, Carol Shapiro; the St. Elizabeth nurses on 2 South; Affinity Hospice, especially Cass, Sheila, Kerry, Gina, Barb, Nancy, Liz and Kristin; St. Mary of the Seven Dolors staff: Sister Joanne Goessl, Deacon Jeff Prickette, the Rev. James Leary, the Rosary group and our "pew partners." We are also grateful for family and friends who supported us throughout this journey. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.