Mitchell Ray 'Mitch' Koski

SAXON, Wis. - Mitchell Ray "Mitch" Koski, 58, of Montreal, died unexpectedly Monday evening, July 11, 2016, in a flash flood drowning accident at Saxon Harbor.

Mitch was born Jan. 13, 1958, in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late Raymond and Marion (Lantta) Koski, attended grade school in Upson, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1976. He then attended Gogebic Community College for one year and worked for Tri-State Homes of Mercer for several years. He was currently project manager for Nasi Construction Co. of Hurley and had worked there for the past 35 years.

Mitch was heavily involved in community affairs, currently serving as assistant fire chief for the City of Montreal and formerly serving as mayor and member of the city council. He was a former two term member of the Iron County Board of Supervisors, a member of the Iron County Emergency Management Committee, and was involved with the Mining Impact Committee of Iron County. He was also a member of the Saxon Harbor Boating Club.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting and worked with his dad in the woods since the age of eight. A loving husband and father, Mitch will be dearly missed by his family, friends and community.

On May 1, 1982, he was married to Kathy J. Manchester in Hurley. According to Mitch, they were married for 64 years.

Surviving are his wife, Kathy, of 34 years; two daughters, Amanda Lee Koski, Rhinelander, and Emma Ray Koski, St. Paul, Minn .; brother, Kendall (Mary), Iron Belt; sisters, Susan (Merle) Schutte, Highbridge, and Joan Donaldson, Pine Lake; brother-in-law, Jim Manchester, and sister-in-law, Linda Palmer, both of Ironwood; nieces and nephews, Forrest, Bill, Casey, Amelia, Taylor, Hannah, Jackie, Kayla, Danny, David, Carlo, Raymond, Duane, Lauren and Taylor; numerous aunts and uncles; and his dogs, Dora, Diamond and Pearl.

Besides his parents, Mitch was preceded in death by his father- and mother-in-law, Ray and Rose Manchester; and sister-in-law, Janice Lahti.

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

A celebration of Mitch's life will be held Monday, July 18, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Iron County Memorial Building in Hurley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Saxon Harbor Boating Club, in care of Stevie LaFortune, P.O. Box 123, Saxon, WI 54559.

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