Gerri Nickel-Morin

HURLEY, Wis. - Gerri Nickel-Morin, 81, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away peacefully Saturday evening, Sept. 10, 2016, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born March 6, 1935, in Hurley, daughter of the late Emil and Catherine (Fragno) Hoeft. She graduated from J.E. Murphy High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Gerri worked for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, P.J. Nickel Construction Company, and most recently at the Ben Franklin Store where she worked for 38 years. She liked to joke that she was a part of the fixtures.

Gerri was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. Her Italian heritage was a great source of pride for her. She loved cooking and made delicious gnocchi, lasagna, ravioli, spaghetti and pizzelle to name a few, all from scratch. Her antipasto was a favorite to all. Gerri did some traveling and her most memorable trips were the ones she took to Hawaii to visit her son Peter and his family; what adventures they had. Gerri was very creative and loved to write stories, poems and songs. A handmade Christmas stocking for a grandchild always came with a poem. She was a gifted knitter and made beautiful sweaters and afghans for everyone in her family. She also enjoyed attending her grandkids' sporting events and concerts, baking (her chocolate chip cookies were her grandsons' favorites), playing her piano, gardening, canning, reading and creating floral arrangements, but most of all, she treasured spending time with her family. She loved us all beyond measure and always made sure we knew it. She lived her life with dignity and grace and will live forever in our hearts.

On Sept. 29, 1956, Gerri married Peter J. Nickel. He preceded her in death in 1990.

She then was married to Robert W. Morin on Aug. 6, 1999, at Our Lady of Peace Church by the Rev. Darryl Pepin.

Surviving are her husband, Bob, of 17 years; children, Beth (Darryll) Palmer, Peter (Amanda) Nickel, and Paulette (Ray) Niemi; grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley), Ryan (Stacey), Peter, Emily, Nicholas and Anthony; great-grandchildren, London and Fiona; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Gerri was preceded in death by brothers, Robert, Emil and Donald Hoeft; and sister, Edna Kallas.

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

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept 16, 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.

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

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

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

We would like to thank the caring staff at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of our dear mother during her short stay.