Jean Erspamer

HURLEY, Wis. - Jean Erspamer, 95, of Hurley, died peacefully at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

The former Jean Underwood was born May 13, 1922, in Ingham County, Mich., daughter of the late Thomas and Maud (Haven) Underwood. She went to grade school in a one-room school house in Onondaga, Mich., and graduated from Leslie High School, Leslie, Mich., in 1940. She then attended Lansing Business College. She was employed as a secretary for the Michigan State Police in Jackson, Mich., where she met the love of her life, a handsome trooper named Bill Erspamer.

Jean was married to William F. Erspamer on Nov. 14, 1942, in East Lansing, Mich. They moved to Hurley in 1954 and raised their family. Bill preceded her in death on July 15, 1970.

Jean enjoyed time with her family, going to her grandchildren's sports and school events, and playing games - especially cribbage. She was an avid knitter.

Jean was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley and its former Council of Catholic Women, the Auxiliary to Hurley American Legion Post 58, a charter member of Eagle Bluff Golf Club, and former member of the women's bowling league at the American Legion Lanes in Hurley. She also worked at Santini's Gift Shop in Hurley and Ironwood, Mich., for several years.

Surviving are two sons, Michael (June), Rock Springs, Wyo., and Steven, Stevens Point and Phoenix; three daughters, Linda (Larry) Folstad, Soudan, Minn., Carol (Dave) Lauscher, Gladstone, Mich., and Teresa (Kevin) Nasi, Hurley; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn (Paul) Ewing, Jackson; sister-in-law, Pat Underwood, Ft. Wayne, Ind .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was predeceased by a granddaughter, Stacy Lynn Hultman, Nov. 28, 2003; brother, Jack Underwood; and sister, Rebecca Spellman.

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

Private family services and interment will be held at a later date.

Her family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Sky View who always treated Jean with loving compassion and dignity.

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

"God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you and whispered, 'Come to Me.'

Your golden heart stopped beating, your weary hands put to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best."