Rose J. Armata

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Rose J. Armata, 92, of Ironwood, died peacefully Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, with her loving family by her side.

The former Rose DaRonco was born March 8, 1923, in Kimball, Wis., daughter of the late John and Regina (Petracco) DaRonco, attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School in Hurley and graduated with honors from Lincoln High School, Hurley, in June 1941.

She was then employed as bookkeeper at Range Beverage Co. in Hurley, head cashier at O'Donnell Style Shoppe in downtown Ironwood and as bookkeeper, cashier and assistant credit manager at Sears-Roebuck and Co. in Ironwood.

On June 24, 1944, she was married to Leo Armata of Ironwood at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, by the late Rev. Peter Meyers. Together with her husband, Rose built and operated Armata Motel on Cloverland Drive in Ironwood for 35 years, retiring in 1990. Leo preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 2007.

Rose was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former St. Michael's Catholic Church and sang in both mixed choirs for over 60 years. Active in community affairs, she held office as treasurer and president of the St. Michael's Altar Society, president and treasurer of the Auxiliary to Ironwood American Legion Post 5, United Way, Ironwood Women's Club, Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce (Executive Board member, Ironwood Snowmobile Olympus, chairman, Summer Festival) and was honored by the Ironwood Chamber as Citizen of the Year in 1976. She was also a member of the Gogebic Range Chamber Choir, Range Paisano Club, the former Sweet Adeline Chorus and Quartet, and was an active 35-year volunteer with the Grand View Hospital Auxiliary, having served as past president for two terms and board member on both the local, U.P and state level for a combined 27 years.

An avid golfer, Rose was a former member of the Gogebic Country Club and shot a hole-in-one there in 1988. She also was an excellent bowler and enjoyed knitting and ceramics.

Surviving are a son, John (Marlene), Marenisco; two grandchildren, Diane Jaskie (Justin Lehto), Ironwood, and John Armata Jr.(fiancee Nichole Marten), Ramsay; three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Kaitlyn and Kaileigh; sister-in-law, Lucille Armata, Ironwood; and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

Besides her parents and husband of 63 years, Rose was preceded in death by two brothers, John DaRonco Jr. and Anton DaRonco; and two sisters, Velia Benetti and Blanche Moltoni. 

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

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 21, 2015, 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 in the parish hall.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Aspirus Grand View Hospital Auxiliary, N10561 Grandview Lane, Ironwood, MI 49938.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be given online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.