Margaret E. Picoldi

WAKEFIELD, Mich.- Margaret E. Picoldi, 89, a prominent long-time Wakefield businesswoman, passed away Saturday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret was born on Aug. 28, 1929, in Bessemer Township, a daughter of John and Emma (Elsner) LaChapelle. She attended Puritan School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer.

Margaret worked at the Gogebic County Courthouse and was a cook at Gogebic Medical Care Facility.

On July 21, 1951, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Leroy Joseph Picoldi, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Margaret and Leroy were the proprietors of the popular Crossing Inn in Wakefield until his untimely death in 1985. She continued to run the business until recently and was blessed with many incredible friendships. For years, Margaret took great pleasure in playing cribbage with her fellow patrons.

She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a supporting member of its women's guild.

Margaret was never happier than when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was known and loved for her kind and generous spirit and genuine care and concern for others. Margaret will be dearly missed, and we know that she is in a better place, "Heaven."

Margaret is survived by two daughters, Diane (Roger) Gallo, Ironwood, and Janice Koski, Wakefield; four dear grandchildren, Jeannette (John) Davis, Nicole (Karl) Krall, Peggy (Greg) Yanke and Anakin Koski; six cherished great-grandchildren, Evan and Andi Krall, Edon and Hauk Davis and Brantley and Parker Yanke; two brothers-in-law, Charles "Charlie" Picoldi, Wakefield, and Norbert "Norb" Kopecko, Richmond, Va .; and numerous special nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Leroy, on June 9, 1985; two sons, Lee, in infancy, in 1966, and Joseph, in 1991; three brothers, Jack, Vincent and Francis LaChapelle; five sisters, Della Aspinwall, Mae Brentar, Carmen Lukach, Lenore Corullo and Dorothy Kopecko; and other loving relatives.

The family is honoring Margaret's life in a private funeral service.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, in the spring.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

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.