Julie Ahnen

RAMSAY, Mich. - Julie Ahnen, 91, a long-time resident of Ramsay, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, March 25, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Julie was born on March 8, 1926, in Anvil, to parents John and Mary (Margetta) Babich, who immigrated from Yugoslavia. She attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1943. Julie enrolled at Miss Brown's School of Business in Milwaukee and graduated in 1946.

On June 18, 1955, Julie was united in marriage to Donald Ahnen at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay. They celebrated more than 38 years of marriage before his passing on Aug. 7, 1993.

Julie worked as an executive secretary at the Department of Human Services in Bessemer for 10 years. She retired in 1992.

Julie was a faithful member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, where she took great pleasure singing in the choir. She was a former member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Julie was a supporting member of the Daughters of Isabella Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle 746.

Julie gave back to her community by volunteering countless hours at the St. Vincent de Paul Store in Bessemer, for the Gogebic Range United Way and was a founding member of Dove, Inc. She took great pride serving on the board at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Julie is survived by three sons, Rich (Andree), Iron Mountain, Rob (Barb) and Randy (Mary), both of Bessemer; a daughter, Jean (Gary) Perkins, Interlochen; seven wonderful grandchildren, Christopher (Holly), Eric (Kayla), Jonathon, Maria, Sarah (Nick), Megan and Julie; a great-grandson, Abraham; numerous nieces and nephews, especially the Marczak family, who she loved very much; and a host of friends.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; a daughter, Margaret Mary; a granddaughter, Stephanie; a brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Ileana Babich; and three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Eve and Bill Ellis, Kathryn and Alan Ted Clawson and Mary and Frank Marczak.

Julie's strong faith and kindness touched many lives on the Gogebic Range.

In accordance with Julie's wishes, cremation will take place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 1, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow at the church hall.

Rite of Committal and inurnment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made in Julie's memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 103 N. Case St., Bessemer, MI 49911.

The family would especially like to thank the doctors and the professional staff at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for their exceptional care, comfort and support. Their kindness will never be forgotten.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.