Louise K. Plante

Louise was born on March 8, 1926, in Bessemer, the third child of Domenic and Maria (Galotto) Massa. She attended St. Sebastian Parochial School through the 8th grade and went on to graduate from A.D. Johnston High School in 1943 in the top 10% of her class (number 5 in a class of 115). In October 1943, she was accepted into the nursing program at St. Mary of Nazareth/De Paul University in Chicago. She completed the degree in 1946-1947.

Louise enjoyed nursing and had a varied career, beginning at the University of Illinois Research Hospital for several years and then at the Hines VA Hospital in Des Plaines, Ill.

She returned to Bessemer in 1951-1952 when her father became ill, where she remained until his death. In 1956, she resumed her nursing career at the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain. She was an operating room nurse, a ward nurse and nursing supervisor. It was here she met her future husband, Leo Plante. They were married on Aug. 30, 1958, at St. Sebastian’s Church in Bessemer. Together, they owned and operated the Gem Bar in Kingsford from 1970 to 1995. They enjoyed 37 years of married life until Leo died in 1995.

Louise loved life, music, dancing and all the arts. She was an accomplished soprano and sang in the senior choir at St. Mary & St. Joseph Church for 46 years. She had a unique personal style, owned a collection of hats for all seasons and she wore them with a distinctive flair. She was an excellent cook and gardener and loved to entertain family and friends.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leo; a brother, John Massa in 1975; and a sister, Evelyn (Nicholas) Ruffatto on July 27, 2009.

She is survived by her son, Dr. John (Maureen) Plante of St. Charles, Ill.; daughter, Maria (Joseph) VanRemortel of Janesville, Wis.; and beloved grandchildren, Matthew and Lauren VanRemortel.

She is also survived by her brother, Gerald Massa of Bessemer; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends and neighbors, Ross and Holly Dixon and their extended family.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain.

The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain.

Fr. Janusz Romanek will officiate.

Burial will be in Cemetery Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Louise’s name to St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Condolences to the family of Louise K. Plante may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.