Stephen 'Steve' P. Jurasin

RAMSAY, Mich. - Stephen "Steve" P. Jurasin, 77, of Ramsay, passed away peacefully Monday July 20, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Steve was born on Jan. 2, 1943, in Ironwood, a son of Joseph and Julia (Serbin) Jurasin. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer with the class of 1960.

Steve proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for two years, most of his time being spent in Germany. He was honorably discharged on April 16, 1964.

After returning to Bessemer, Steve continued his education at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood and then went on to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, where he earned his bachelor's degree.

Steve taught at the Beaver Dam School System in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for many years. He retired from teaching there to return back home to Bessemer/Ramsay and his "happy place," his cabin on Beatons Lake in Watersmeet.

Steve served on the Bessemer Area School Board of Education after his retirement along with becoming a substitute teacher at the St. Sebastian Catholic School and Bessemer Area Schools. He enjoyed being a delivery driver for Meals on Wheels during several years of his retirement.

Steve was a dedicated member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield and a former member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay. He served as a lector for several years at Immaculate Conception Church until health issues became an issue.

 Known to many as Uncle Stevie, he was a good-natured man, who loved the outdoors especially fishing the rivers in this area. He was especially proud of his nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. Many have fond memories of fishing with Uncle Stevie. He always put family first. Uncle Stevie took great pleasure attending many, many of his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews sporting and school events.

Steve is survived by his brother, Joseph and his sister, Virginia Bennetts, both of Bessemer; his sister-in-law, Delores Jurasin, Ramsay; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, John, Frank and Michael; and three sisters, Frances DeSautelle, Mary Senkpeil and Helen Loughran.

The family would like to thank the staff at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community for all the wonderful care given to Steve over the past eight months along with thanking Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for the amazing care for Steve during his final days.

Uncle Stevie will be greatly missed, but many great memories will carry on with everyone he came in contact with.

The family is honoring Steve's life in a private Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer, with a military graveside service under the auspices of Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673 Honor Guard.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.