Jeannette Marie (Golde) Kuziej

CONOVER, Wis. - Jeannette Marie (Golde) Kuziej, 68, of Conover, and formerly of Ironwood, Mich., died unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in her home.

The former Jeannette Marie Ehrler was born April 1, 1948, in Chicago, daughter of the late Robert and Patricia (Ravey) Ehrler. She grew up in Oak Lawn, Ill., and graduated from the Academy of Our Lady High School in 1966. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Western Illinois University-Macomb, in 1970. She then worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 33 years. During Jeannette's 33-year tenure, she held many leadership positions, retiring in 2010 as Postmaster for the Bergland, Mich., Post Office.

Jeannette moved to Ironwood in 1991 and was a member of Salem Lutheran Church, where she served on the Church Council and taught Sunday School. Jeannette also served on the Synod Council of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and participating in events to help alleviate world hunger was a passion of hers. She enjoyed preparing meals for Frederick Place, a homeless shelter in Rhinelander. Jeannette was on the board of the Synod Women's Organization, enjoying their various retreats and learning opportunities and was a graduate of the Synod's Lay School for Mission. During Jeannette's time with the church, she was a champion for many social issues of our time.

On Aug. 18, 2001, Jeannette was united in marriage to Rev. John Kuziej at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood. She assisted her pastor husband in many ways in congregations in Ewen and Paynesville, Mich., and lately at Pioneer Lake Lutheran Church in Conover.

Besides her husband, Jeannette is survived by her two children, Dagny (Mark) Eckert, Tinley Park, Ill., and Emmett (Tammy) Golde, Pelkie, Mich .; three granddaughters, Marissa Eckert, Madison Golde and Kayla Golde; brothers, William Ehrler, Orland Park, Ill., and Robert (Diane) Ehrler, Portland, Ore .; sisters, Mary Ehrler, Lockport, Ill., and Patricia Adamski, Hometown, Ill .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with Pastor Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Memorial services will also be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Pioneer Lake Lutheran Church in Conover, with Rev. Kenneth Kuziej officiating.

Committal and inurnment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township, in the spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Jeannette's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.