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Jean Marie Kovachich, age 66, of Bessemer, formerly of Laurium, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at her home.
Jean was born on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955, to Rudy and Clarice (Stafford) Kovachich. Since she was born on Easter Sunday, we called her Jean Marie the Easter Bunny. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Calumet High School graduating in 1973.
After graduation, Jean moved to Bessemer. She worked as a seamstress at Foxpoint for many years until they closed. Then, Jean went to work at Weather Shield in Park Falls, Wisconsin, making doors. She came back to Bessemer on weekends to care for her companion, Larry Pearson, who had a stroke. Jean worked very hard taking care of Larry and the house then back to Park Falls for the week, she did this for about 8 years. When Larry needed more help, Jean left Weather Shield and took a job at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. As Larry’s health continued to decline, she stayed at home full-time to care for him.
Jean had a great sense of humor and always found something to laugh about no matter what life presented to her. She was a hard worker and took pride in everything she did.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, John and Cecilie (Sekula) Kovachich and Joseph and Anna (Caron) Stafford; a brother, David Rolando; a nephew, Colin Aho; and her aunts and uncles Kovachich, Mordwin, Peterlin, Wilmer, Stafford, Barron, Nardi-Musich and Grathoff. Her companion, Larry Pearson, died on Jan. 24, 2022.
Jean is survived by her siblings, JoAnn (Kovachich) and Richard Aho, Austin, Minnesota, and Claire (Kovachich) and Bruce Waananen, Ishpeming; four nephews, Bryan (Stephanie) Aho, Austin, Darren (Margaret) Aho, Naperville, Illinois, and Scott and Kyle Waananen, both of Ishpeming; a niece, Deanna Aho, Austin; three great-nephews, Ben, Chris and Jacob Aho; a great-niece, Jocelyn Aho; and numerous cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 13, at 11 a.m., CDT, preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., CDT, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.
Rite of Committal and interment will take place at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer for Jean and Larry.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.
