Patsy 'Shorty' Kivi

BESSEMER, Mich. - Patsy "Shorty" Kivi, 75, of Bessemer passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at U.P. Health System in Marquette after suffering respiratory failure.

She was born in Bergland, the daughter of the late Rosalie Neufuss. Shorty spent the days of her youth raising hell along the shores of Lake Gogebic alongside her eight siblings, and having many adventures. She would regale family members with tales of floating across the lake in the springtime on "rafts" made of chunks of ice, catching skunks by the tails, and sledding off the roof of the house.

On March 30, 1968, she married her partner in crime, Richard Kivi. Together they made their home in Bessemer and raised their five children.

Shorty loved to craft and always had a new project in the works, be it knitting warm gloves, scarves or hats, creating homemade decorations for every holiday, or creating things out of plastic canvas. Her house was a joy in the neighborhood, always highly decorated for the holidays, both inside and out. Neighbors used to joke that during Christmas, they were afraid her house would be confused for a runway - which led to one of her proudest moments when she won a Christmas lights competition with the incredible light display which she and her children created. Shorty will be remembered for the great holiday meals she would put on; she could grill or roast the best turkey you'd ever hope to have, accompanied by a snootful of the best homemade chokecherry wine in the area.

Most of all, however, she loved just spending time with her grandchildren. In her later years, she spent her time knitting dozens of pairs of mittens and hats that she would donate to mitten trees all over the area. If there is one thing Shorty imparted to her family, it was to share what you have and to be generous and kind to those in need.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her mother, Rosalie; her mother- and father-in-law, Werner and Blanche; sisters, Sheryl and Pamela; and grandsons, Jordon and Zachary.

Shorty is survived and dearly missed, by her five children, Chris (Deb) Kivi of Solon Springs, Wisconsin, Kevin (Betsy) Kivi of Wakefield, Brad Kivi of Bessemer, Melissa (Travis) Cecil of Soldotna, Alaska, and Hollie (John) Salazar of Ironwood; her grandchildren, Isabella, Audree, Brayden, Tanner, Bailey, Angela, Braelynn, Vance, Blake, Hyleigh, Shelby, Cidney, Olivia and Alice; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Janice (Tom), Darryl (Gwen), Marilyn (Chuck), Virginia (Tom), Shirley, and Linda (Chuck); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial is planned for later this spring.

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