Isabelle "Belle" Elizabeth Bertolino

HURLEY, Wis. - Isabelle "Belle" Elizabeth Bertolino was named after two queens by her sister, and was born to Polish parents, Kostec and Magdalena "Margaret" Wyzlic, in Ironwood, Mich., on April 26, 1925.

The seventh of 10 children in the family, she attended school in Ironwood, graduating from Luther L. Wright High School in 1944, where home economics was her favorite subject. She worked at Hervala's Photography Studio before marrying Willis Bertolino, her husband of almost 70 years, on July 24, 1948, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ironwood. They had two children, David and Barbara, and lived in Montreal.

Belle was a beautiful wife, mother, sister, neighbor and friend. She was a positive complimentary, supportive, strong, good-hearted and fun-loving lady who could always be counted on to pitch in and help family and friends and at her Catholic church functions at Sacred Heart in Montreal. During her last four years, she lived independently following her husband's admittance into Villa Maria.

She loved fashion, decorating, the color red, holiday gatherings, and celebrations; Belle was especially fond of opening presents.

For 10 years, Belle and Willis made annual trips to Florida. She liked reading John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, and James Patterson's fiction. She liked to polka, play Pokeno and watch the Packers. She was an excellent cook who also loved baking. Belle taught her family how to make pasties, can hot Italian peppers, gracefully host guests and even how to play a slot machine. She was proud of her three grandsons and six great grandchildren who knew without a doubt that they were loved by her.

Belle is survived by her husband, Willis; son, David (Alice) Bertolino, and daughter, Barbara (Rob) Winn; grandsons, Cory, Ryan (Lindsey) and David Winn; and great-grandchildren, Emily, Kaitlyn, Aiden, Mason, Gavin, and Hudson Winn; and her sisters, Dorothy Wyzlic, Jeanne (Barts) Tibaldo and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Frank, Roman, Teddy, Kostec and Stan Wyzlic and sisters, Mary Carli and Florence Haas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with Father Frank Kordek, OFM presiding. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with a luncheon to be served following the Mass.

Per Belle's request, cremation will take place.

Belle's family would like to thank the care-givers of Aspirus Ironwood Hospital who took care of her and to those of Villa Maria who compassionately attended to her as she passed.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information or to give online condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.