Blanche A. Novacich

HURLEY, Wis. — Blanche A. Novacich, 86, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away peacefully Friday morning, Oct. 27, 2017, at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley.

The former Blanche Kowaleski was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Hurley, daughter of the late Michael and Stella (Kuicyinski) Kowaleski. She attended the Cary School and St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from J.E Murphy High School in 1949.

She was united in marriage to Matt L. Novacich at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley.

Blanche was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. She has had a lifelong love of dogs; seldom would you find a picture of Blanche without her holding a dog. She enjoyed looking through recipes, reading, and was a beautiful seamstress. She and Matt especially enjoyed following their grandchildren in all of their school and sporting activities. We will dearly miss her.

Surviving are her husband, Matt; two daughters, Sandy (Mike) Patrick and Jerri (Bob) Hamen, both of Ironwood; three grandchildren, Casey and Katie Hamen, Ironwood, and Nik Patrick, Green Bay; two cousins, Lawrence (Geri) Kutz, Hurley, and Jimmy Kutz, Ironwood; sister-in-law, Kathleen “Katy” Hudacek, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Blanche was predeceased by a sister, Gertrude Mesich; two brothers, Henry “Hank” and Joe Kowaleski; and nephews, Michael Mesich and Jonathan Kowaleski.

Private family services were held at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood, with Deacon Bob Hamen officiating.

Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood, assisted the family with the arrangements.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Sky View Nursing Center and the Aspirus Ironwood Infusion Center for their professional and personal care given to Blanche.