Marianne K. Balduc

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Marianne K. Balduc, 85, of Ironwood, died Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

The former Marianne K. Skaja was born March 2, 1930, in Hurley, Wis., daughter of the late Edward and Anne (Antes) Skaja, and graduated from Hurley High School in 1948.

She was married to Robert L. "Bud" Balduc on Sept. 11, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Together they shared 55 years of marriage and were blessed with 14 children. Bud preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2003.

Marianne was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, and was active in the Red Hat Society and planning class reunions. She also enjoyed casino trips and traveling.

She was a mother to more than just her own birth children and touched the hearts and taste buds to all who enjoyed her special homemade bread and endless baked goods.

She is survived by 13 children, Louie (Jean) Balduc, Ironwood, Lois (Jim) Seabury, Wetmore, Roberta (Jeff) Hautala, Wakefield, Gale (A.J.) Johnson, Ashland, Wis., Gary (Carol) Balduc, Wakefield, Michael (Wanda) Balduc, Wakefield, Pat (Kim) Balduc, Ironwood, Debra (Rick) Favero, Eagle River, Wis., Denise (Mark) Mancini, Lake Geneva, Wis., Diane (Scott) Maki, Bessemer, Francine (Brig) Sorber, Haslett, Edward (JoAnn) Balduc, Bessemer, and AnnMarie (Joe) Oakland, Stoughton, Wis .; 33 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a sister, Frances Hannula, Hurley.

Besides her parents and husband, Marianne was preceded in death by a son, Bill, on Oct. 3, 2007; brothers, Ken and George Skaja; sister-in-law, Eva (Balduc) Skaja; and brother-in-law, Emil Hannula.

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

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 27, at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 9:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant.

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

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Catholic Academy, 106 S. Marquette St., Ironwood, MI 49938; Regional Hospice Services, Inc., 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911, or The ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences can be given to Marianne's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

"These Gentle Hands"

There are no hands more beautiful than these

That through the years have helped small things to grow-

Babies and chickens, flowers and dogwood trees-

And shaped uncounted loaves of bread from dough

Mixed with unerring art to satisfy

Deep needs, and sewn neat seams, and hammered scores

Of nails with deft precision, and hung to dry

Clothes scrubbed and boiled in kettles out of doors.

These hands have kept their gentleness of touch

Through years of working with untiring skill

To feed and bless and comfort, and though much

Swollen and often painful now, they still

Devotedly persist in serving others.

There are no hands more loving than my mother's.

- Jane Hess Merchant