Bette Sue Colasacco

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. - Bette Sue Colasacco, 95, formerly of Ironwood, Michigan, and Hurley, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

She was born on May 26, 1926, in Bessemer, Alabama, the daughter of Erwin "Shine" and Ellen (Leinonen) Oliver. Bette and her family moved to Ironwood in 1935 where she attended local schools and St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Bette met the love of her life, Eugene "Dempsey" Colasacco, when she was just 12 years old, when their families lived next to each other in the "Flats." Bette talked about looking out her window and watching him walk to work every morning. They were married on July 28, 1942, when she was 16, and Dempsey had been drafted to serve in World War II. They were married for nearly 64 years, demonstrating by example what true love and devotion are.

Bette held various jobs in the Ironwood area, including the Style Shop, Carlson's Supermarket, and Ambassador Greeting Cards, but her most important and cherished role was always that of homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to entertain and had a knack for making everyone feel loved and welcomed. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and we will fondly remember her delicious anchovy pizza, ravioli and meatballs, lemon meringue and raspberry pies, and many other tasty dishes. Bette enjoyed being surrounded by her large extended family, and she especially treasured times spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved music, dancing with her sweetheart, playing bingo, and sharing memories of days gone by. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Bette is survived by three sons, Gary Colasacco, Ironwood; Guy (Carol) Colasacco, Pleasant Prairie; Dempsey (Gina) Colasacco, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin; daughter-in-law, Joanne Colasacco, The Villages, Florida; eight much loved grandchildren, Danielle (Kevin) Cast, Windermere, Florida; Nicole (Steve) Thumm, Rochester, Minnesota; Christian Colasacco, Ironwood; Amberae (Travis) Tauer, Ironwood; Brett (Caroline) Colasacco, Highland Park, Illinois; Caitlin (Aileen) Rowan, Washington, D.C .; Brayden Colasacco, Milwaukee; Carsen Colasacco, Kronenwetter, Wisconsin; six treasured great-grandchildren, Logan (Jenna) Cast, Oviedo, Florida; Spencer (Michael) Martin, Ocoee, Florida; Domenica Thumm, Rochester, Minnesota; Luman and Emmett Colasacco, Highland Park, Illinois; and Nico Rowan, Washington, D.C .; and two great-great-grandchildren, Lydia Josephine Cast, Oviedo, Florida, and Oliver Michael Martin, Ocoee, Florida; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dempsey, on April 1, 2006; a son, Daniel Gene, on March 6, 2015; siblings Marilyn (Bernie) Michelli, Gerald Oliver and Charles (Laverne) Oliver; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Dorinda (Matthew) Justinak, Rose (Bert) Harma, Erma (Benjamin) Kimball, John (Violet) Colasacco, Lawrence (Anna) Colasacco and Anton (Annie) Colasacco.

A memorial service will be held on Aug. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ironwood with burial at Riverside Cemetery. Visitors can greet the family at the church beginning at 9 a.m.

Those wishing to make a donation in her memory may contribute to Regional Hospice, 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St., Ironwood, MI 49938; or a charity of your own choosing. Bette always loved unconditionally and gave willingly. May we all honor her memory by doing the same. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." – John 15:12.