Kathleen Jane Costa

CRYSTAL FALLS, Mich. - Kathleen Jane Costa, 86, of Iron Mountain, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls.

She was born Feb. 19, 1929, in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late William and Edith (Gibson) Butler.

Kathleen attended Iron Mountain schools through seventh grade, when the family moved to Houghton, where she graduated in 1946 and returned with her family to Iron Mountain soon after.

She then worked as a telephone operator for AT&T for five years. During that time, she met Arthur C. Costa; they were married on June 30, 1951, at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Iron Mountain. The couple moved to Milwaukee, where Kathleen continued her employment with AT&T, while Art completed his final two years of dental school. After his graduation, they returned to their hometown, Iron Mountain, where they resided on East B Street for more than 50 years and raised their three children.

Kathleen was a very special lady who was a devoted daughter, wife and mother. She emphasized the importance of a good education and was proud that all three children earned college degrees, an opportunity that she had regrettably not realized herself. Throughout the years, she enabled and supported the various interests of her husband and children. Known to be a good listener who had a sincere interest in others, many sought her counsel and valued her common-sense advice.

Her own interests included cooking and collecting recipes, interior design, shopping, ceramics and socializing with family and friends.

She was a loyal Green Bay Packers fan and an avid news watcher.

Creating and maintaining family traditions was important to Kathleen, especially during the holidays. She took pride in her seasonal decorating and serving delicious food. Over the years, she entertained many relatives and friends at home and at the family cottage on Lake Elwood.

Both Kathleen and Art liked to travel and took several nice trips throughout the years. Among their favorites were a Hawaiian trip with "the card club" in 1977 and their Alaskan cruise with their daughter, Kitti, and her husband, Bob, in 1995. Still, Kathleen's favorite place in the world was right at home with her family.

When Art died suddenly on June 21, 2008, Kathleen was no longer able to live alone. She lived at Victorian Pines Estates in Iron Mountain for nearly three years until her needs required her to transfer to Hyland Nursing Home and recently, the Iron County Medical Care Facility.

The family wishes to extend our deepest appreciation to the staff and management of these facilities for their support and compassionate care given to our mother. Thanks also goes to Dr. Ellen Van Laanen, Dr. Paul Hayes and Dr. Robert Han for their medical care and advice.

Kathleen is survived by her three children, Kathleen (Robert) Colassacco, Ironwood; Patricia (Michael) Meyer, of Green Bay, Wis., and Arthur (Debbie) Costa, of Kingsford; two beloved grandsons, Anthony Arthur (Elizabeth) Meyer, of Highland Park, Ill., and Patrick Michael Meyer, of Green Bay; two step-granddaughters, Jessica (Christian) Welter, of North Liberty, Iowa, and Stephanie (Adam) Hull, of Niagara, Wis .; two brothers, Michael (Sharon) Butler, of Norway, and James Butler, of Menifee, Calif .; and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by all.

In addition to her husband and parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her in-laws, Dr. Arthur and Frances Costa; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Costa Longe and Anita Butler; a nephew, Timothy Butler, and numerous cousins and her dear friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Iron Mountain. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church. Father Janusz Romanek will officiate. Burial will take place at Cemetery Park, followed by a luncheon at the church.

Memorials may be made in Kathleen's memory and directed to Alzheimer's Association or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Kathleen or leave a condolence for her family online at JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Kathleen's legacy of life.