Rose M. Hanninen

ASHLAND, Wis. - Rose M. Hanninen, 86, of Whiteside Street, Pence, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Rosetta Maddalena Suardi on Nov. 10, 1927, in Bianzano, Italy. Her parents were Giacomo Francesco and Lucia Alessandria (Jiudici) Suardi. Rose attended schools in Italy, and with her mother, came to Pence when she was 18 years old. She was employed at Simpsons Electric in Mercer, the Bessemer Plywood Plant and also by Jimmy Francis at the El Capitan in Hurley. Rose also worked at the State Farm Insurance Office in Iron River, Wis. She owned and operated a mini-mart in Pence and taught Italian classes for the Ironwood Community Schools.

Rose was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Pence and the former St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal.

Rose was a devout Catholic, very good hearted and thoroughly loved her family. She enjoyed spending quality time with her children and grandchildren and shared many stories with them of her Italian childhood.

Her hobbies included praying daily, playing cards and bingo, knitting, cooking great Italian meals and shopping. She especially enjoyed traveling back to Italy to see her relatives.

On March 7, 1949, she was married to Joseph Charles Battisti at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal. Joseph preceded her in death.

On June 27, 1975, she was married to Harland Hanninen in Ontonagon, Mich. Harland survives.

She is also survived by two sons, Robert (JoAnn) Battisti, of Seymour, and Greg (Judy) Battisti, of Frederic; a daughter, Rosanne (David) Hardie, of Ironwood, Mich .; and six grandchildren, Amber (Tim) Kapinos, Brittney Battisti, Cara Battisti, Mario (Tiffany) Battisti, Dr. James (Dr. Holly) Hardie and Kayla (Pavlo Popov) Hardie. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive, with the majority in Italy.

Besides her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, on Dec. 1, 1995; a brother, Salvatore Suardi; and sisters, Maria Facchinetti, Iside Zanardi, Filomena Torione and Paolina Zambetti.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Frank Kordek OFM will be the celebrant.

Rose's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Friday.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery Hurley.

Pallbearers will be Mario Battisti, Bob Colassacco, James Hardie, David Hardie, Tim Kapinos and Ken Swetkovich.

A luncheon will follow at the church hall.

Range Funeral Service Inc. and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Hurley and Ironwood are in charge of arrangements.

The family wishes to extend a warm thank you to the staff and administration of the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center for excellent care and compassion that was given to Rose during her stay.