Anna M. Slade

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Anna M. Slade, 77, of Bessemer and Escanaba, passed away in Ironwood on April 12, 2019.

Anna was born in Detroit to Elvie M. (Salo) Borns and Arnold Tapio. She grew up in Erwin Township and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, in 1959.

In 1984, she married Wallace E. Slade, her devoted husband of 35 years. Wally was a 5th grade school teacher in Gladstone (Flat Rock), Mich. and their lives joined in Escanaba as Wally and Anna finished their careers. Anna's career with the U.S. Forest Service began in the Bessemer office, but transferred to the Escanaba office from which she retired in 1996 after 20 yrs. of service. They both enjoyed many good years of retirement together.

Anna was a sweet and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress who always gave of herself to her family and friends. Her crochet work was second to none, and she made the best Halloween costumes for her grandchildren that will be treasured forever. She loved to travel out west and lived a happy retirement. She always had a smile and was a gracious person. She had great perseverance.

She is survived by her husband, Wallace E. Slade; three children, Laurie (Trudeau) Contratto of Niceville, Fla., Todd (Betty Ann) Trudeau of Menominee, Mich. and Jeffrey S. Slade, of Alpena, Mich .; four grandchildren, Bobby Trudeau, Sophia Contratto, Liza Contratto, and Megan Slade; sister-in-law Sue Hoeft of Ironwood; brothers-in-laws Dick Slade of Ironwood, Daniel (Phyllis) Slade of Borrego Springs, Calif .; half-brother George Ballone of Bessemer, Mich .; Laurie and Todd's father, Robert (Betty) Trudeau of Johnson City, Tenn. and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Anna was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Tapio of Bessemer, sister-in-law Susie Slade of Ironwood, and brother-in-law Clarence Hoeft of Bessemer.

Our family would like to thank the entire Westgate Nursing Home staff for their compassionate and conscientious care during the last 3 months of Anna's life, and to Hospice for the comfort and caring support they provided. Special thanks to Anna's cousin, Tina Collins, who was so very kind to our mother and family during her time at Westgate.

Anna will be very sadly missed by her entire family who loved her so dearly, and will be remembered by all who knew her.

A funeral will be held at Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, 304 S. Sophie Street in Bessemer, Mich. on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m., and refreshments to follow. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer later in the spring.