Mary K. Pretti

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Mary K. Pretti, 81, of Montreal, Wis., died peacefully Wednesday, March 12, 2014, with her family by her side, following a brief illness.

The former Mary K. Moha was born Sept. 26, 1932, in Montreal, daughter of the late John and Eugenia (Lizotte) Moha. Mary K. attended Roosevelt Grade School and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis., in 1950. She then received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Wisconsin State College in Superior in 1954 and taught kindergarten in Manitowoc, Wis., for a year and also for a year in Montreal.

On Aug. 13, 1955, she was married to Louis F. Pretti at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal by the Rev. Wenislaus Coleman.

Mary K. was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley and the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal, where she proudly served as church organist and funeral lunch committee chairwoman for many years. Up until just a few years ago, she enjoyed bowling at the Legion Lanes in Hurley in the Monday Afternoon League and the Wednesday Nite Ladies League, occasionally followed by a card game with her friends. In addition to making the best raspberry pies, rhubarb crunch and Chex mix, she spent countless hours tending to her beautiful flower gardens, which often drew admiration from passersby. She also loved the challenge of a good crossword puzzle and watching classic game shows. Mary K. (and her cooking) will be dearly missed.

Mary K. is survived by her husband, Louis, of 58 years; a daughter, Kay Pretti, Coon Rapids, Minn .; five sons, Jerry (Mary Beth), Mountain View, Calif., Gene (Alison), Incline Village, Nev., Jan, Redwood City, Calif., Glen (Trish), Mt. Horeb, Wis., and Paul (Kelly), Waukesha, Wis .; six grandchildren, Courtney, Serena, Amanda, Winston, Hunter and Aidan; two sisters, Dorothy Dernehl, Mequon, Wis., and Jeanette Fairchild, West Allis, Wis .; brothers-in-law, David Pretti, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Robert Pretti, Minnetonka, Minn., and Donald (Brenda) Pretti, Portsmouth, Va .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Ann, in infancy; and two brothers, John and James Moha.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 19, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-Wisconsin Chapter, 200 S. Executive Drive, Suite 203, Brookfield WI 53005.

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