Patricia Ann Severin

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Patricia Ann Severin, 84, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, after complications from dementia at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.

Patricia was born on Sept. 2, 1938, to Dominic and Ruth Jezek in Montgomery, Minnesota. Pat grew up with her two younger brothers, Dan and Mike. Her youth was spent playing outside like everyone else of that era. To pass her time she would play sports, softball and tennis. She was also into music and played the trombone in the high school band. She was a conscientious student, graduating from high school in 1956 with honors. She realized that she wanted to be a teacher and went to school at Mankato State University. She worked hard to get through college, working at Dayton's department store to help pay for tuition. She graduated in 1961 with a physical education and science degree.

After college graduation, she taught in Little Falls, Minnesota, for two years. She then taught junior high science and physical education at Susan B. Anthony Middle School in Minneapolis. Teaching was her passion, and she was involved in many school activities. Her students always came first. She was just one of a few women at the time who were teachers in the sciences field in the Minneapolis school district. Pat took up downhill skiing and enjoyed it so much that she started a ski club for her students at Susan B. Anthony. They took advantage of the local ski hills in the Minneapolis area.

To get away from the city life, Patricia and her friends would drive to Ironwood, during the winter to ski. It was there at Indianhead Mountain, that she met the love of her life, Robert Severin. After a brief courtship, they were married on June 19, 1971, in Minneapolis. Then, they resided in Ironwood.

When their son, Derek, was born, Patricia made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom. She was a loving and encouraging mother and wife. She always put her family first.

She was also into many crafts that included knitting, sewing and canning. However, her biggest passion was gardening. Every year she had a big garden in her backyard. Over the years, she became a Master Gardener and joined the Range Master Gardeners and the 46th Parallel Planter Garden Club.

In addition to her hobbies, Pat served on several boards in the Ironwood area, including the Gogebic Family Living Council. She was appointed to serve on the original Gogebic Juvenile Diversion Board and was instrumental in forming the Blue Line Club for the Polar Bear Hockey program. Pat was active and held positions in the Women's Society and at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

She was always a teacher. She loved a good conversation and getting to know people. She was a champion for the underdog. She would always try to help people and give them the encouragement that they needed. All of this will be greatly missed.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; a son, Derek (Ada); two brothers, Dan Jezek and Mike Jezek (Cyrese); two nephews, Jason (Julie) Jezek and Justin Jezek; and two nieces, Meghann (Elijah) Howard and Jordann Jezek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 2, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Brian Gerber, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and inurnment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood, in the spring.

The family would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria for their loving care during Pat's illness.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.