Rose A. Pakonen

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Rose A. Pakonen, 86, of Ironwood and formerly White Pine, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017, at Westgate Living Center in Ironwood.

Rose Ann was born Aug. 30, 1930, at home on Kennedy Street in the Jessieville Location of Ironwood to Thomas Joseph and Anna (Biondich) Domencic. She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1948.

On Oct. 27, 1951, she was married to Kenneth Arthur Pakonen at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage before he passed in 2015.

Rose was one of the first members of St. Jude's Catholic Church in White Pine, where she was an active member of the St. Jude's Altar Guild. She was very active for many years in the White Pine Women's Club. In the late '70s, she was awarded the Michigan Federation of Women's Clubs' highest honor for her service and commitment to the club. She also served on the Carp Lake Township Election Board for many years.

Rose was an avid skier and spent many winter days at the Porcupine Mountains skiing with her husband, children and friends. In the summer, she enjoyed riding her pink Schwinn around town. She also enjoyed playing Bridge in both the women's and couple's Bridge clubs.

Rose enjoyed being with her family and friends. Most weekday mornings, she could be found with her coffee klatch at Antonio's or the Konteka, before picking up the mail from the post office. Attending the L.L. Wright High School Class of '48 reunions and luncheons were a priority on her calendar. In retirement, she and her husband, Ken, loved to travel in their Air Stream trailer, visiting all 50 states, and stopping in to visit with many family and friends on the way.

Everything tasted good from Rose's kitchen. Her family will miss her sloppy Joes, potato salad, beef stroganoff, seven-layer bars, famous fudge, and gooey Rice Krispie treats.

Surviving are three sons, Gerald (Christina) Pakonen of Anchorage, Alaska, David Pakonen of Ketchum, Idaho, and Thomas (Julie) Pakonen of Ironwood; a daughter, Jane (Brian) Labby of Midland; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Ann (Morris) Reinke of Plainfield, Ill .; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Besides her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her husband Ken; her sister, Katherine Manning; brother John "Cowboy" Domencic; and grandson, Ryan Sobolik.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. EDT at St. Jude's Catholic Church in White Pine. Rev. Michael Jacobus will be the celebrant. Rose's family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall.

Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

To honor Mom's memory, the family suggests getting together with your family and friends for a Friday night fish fry or pizza dinner. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Building Fund, P.O Box 427, White Pine, MI 49971.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.