Katherine L. Ruppe

HURLEY, Wis. - Katherine L. Ruppe, 99, a lifelong Ironwood, Mich., resident, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, with her loving family by her side, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

The former Katherine Verbos was born Feb. 5, 1915, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Frank and Annie (Vryanich) Verbos, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1933.

She was united in marriage to Joseph S. Ruppe on June 1, 1935, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood. He preceded her in death on June 28, 1987.

Katherine was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and lifelong member of the American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ), local St. John the Baptist Lodge 20. She was well known for her award winning povatica and bread, and volunteered as a clerk in the flower division at the Gogebic County Fair for many years. She also enjoyed sewing and was an active gardener. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Surviving are a son, Joseph T. (April), and daughter, Kathleen Kaufman, both of Ironwood Township; eight grandchildren, Michael (Mildred) Ruppe, Barbara Ruppe, Cathy (Bill) Collins, John Ruppe, Lee Ann Kaufman, Jane (Brian) Lemke, Lenore Frigo and Sarah (Ray) Frigo-Reps; nine great-grandchildren, Bert and Grace Ann Reps, Drew (Jackie) Collins, Brice Collins, Cotter Collins, Jeremiah Ruppe, Alan Ruppe, Hunter Ruppe and Alexys Ruppe; great-great-granddaughter, Maci Collins; sister, Margaret Forslund, Marquette, Mich .; son-in-law, Jerome Frigo, Onalaska; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Katherine was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Frigo; grandson, Stephen T. Ruppe; son-in-law, Roy Kaufman; brothers, Frank, Peter, Rudy, Steve, Joe and Lawrence Verbos; and sisters, Anna Kraynak, Mary Blazonin and Theresa Ruppe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow at Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood..

Private Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Pallbearers will be Mark Ruppe, Greg Ruppe, Chris Mewbourn, Tom Kraynak, Frank Verbos and Michael Ruppe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of Peace Adopt-A-Student Program, 108 S. Marquette St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

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