Denise Ann Osterholm

DULUTH, Minn. - Denise Ann Osterholm, 75, passed on Sept. 21, 2021, at St. Mary's in Duluth.

Denise was born to father, Ragner Axel and mother, Kathryn "Lucy" Lucille (Freeman) Osterholm on May 6, 1946, both deceased.

Denise, an Ironwood native, spent the last 15 years living in Minnesota. She lived a very vivacious life. She loved to travel to her home in Texas during the long Minnesota winters. She loved music and going to festivals. A skilled guitar player herself, she played in many bands throughout her life. Denise was an avid pool player, winning many awards and tournaments. She enjoyed golf, shooting, boating, skiing and riding her Harley. She had fun wherever she went.

Denise will be very missed by her remaining family, wife, Mary Katherine Osterholm; daughter, Maia Lee (Chuckles) Gotta; son, Ryan Michael Osterholm; granddaughters, Tessa Scott (Kory) Delich, Taylor Scott (Cody) Mukavitz, Alexis Ryan Osterholm, Laney Ryan Osterholm and Nadia Ryan Osterholm; grandson, Charlie Akili Gotta; great-granddaughter, Katiya Taylor Ofstad; great-grandson, Croix Grady Mukavitz. She was blessed with twin great-grandbabies born in August of 2021, great-grandson, Griffen Anthony Mukavitz; and great-granddaughter, Grier Willah Mukavitz.

Denise's family also includes brother; Michael Ray Osterholm; and sister, Kay Ann (John) Potter. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Lee Osterholm; and infant brother, Kim Osterholm.

Denise had an illustrious education and career. Denise graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, in 1979 with honors. She was gifted with intelligence and excellence in math. After graduation, Denise accepted a job in Freeport, Illinois, at Honeywell, where she worked until 1987 as an integrated circuits designer. In 1987 she moved the family back to Ironwood, Michigan. Denise was employed by the White Pine Copper Mine for a short time before she went to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and took over the physics lab. Denise then, under UMD, accepted her position at Soudan Underground Laboratories, where she remained until she retired in 2018.

Denise, throughout most of her adult life, was an active member of the U.S. military. She was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, served on the National Guard and was a member of the armed services reserves unit. Denise remained an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars as a lifetime member.

Denise was intelligent, kind, and generous. She will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Binu Joseph officiating, preceded by a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood, Michigan at a later date.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Denise's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.