Louise Santi

She was born on July 8, 1947, in Iron Mountain, to the late James and Lucille (Klatt) Santi. She grew up on the northside and cherished the memories she had of growing up in such a vibrant and unique place.

She graduated from Iron Mountain High School, Class of 1965. Inspired by her French teacher, Ms. Robertson, she decided to pursue a career in foreign languages and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where she graduated in 1969 with a degree in French and Russian. She had spent a winter studying in Paris while in college, always remembering how exciting it was to spend New Year’s Eve in Paris.

She began teaching French in Eau Claire, Wis., and continued her French studies by leading two student groups to France during spring break and also spending a summer living with a French family in Angers, France, while studying at the university. The Poisson Family had two daughters, Mireille and Blandine, who were taught English by Louise.

After six years of teaching in the public schools, she made the decision to change careers and moved to Madison, Wis., in 1975. While living in Madison over the next 40 years, she worked for several insurance companies, officially retiring from Cuna Mutual Group and Dean Health Plan. She specialized in workers’ compensation, property and liability, and health insurance.

Her family visited her often over the years, enjoying all of the things Madison had to offer, such as restaurants, cultural activities, and special events.

After retirement, she worked part-time at Hy-Vee grocery store, demonstrating food to customers.

Louise and her sister took a trip to Italy in the spring of 2001, enjoying beautiful Tuscany together.

She returned to Iron Mountain in 2014, and in June of that year, she had become ill due to complications of untreated diabetes. Her sister, Christine, was a devoted caretaker for her over the next years. Louise had several heart and vascular operations at Aspirus Wausau with her sister by her side, and had to live with her sister, a nurse, several times while she was recovering.

She reconnected with her high school friends and enjoyed seeing them at their monthly lunches at various restaurants in town. She kept in touch with her dear friends from Madison as well.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents.

She is survived by her sister, Christine Santi James of Kingsford; nephew James Freeman of Amasa; great-nephew James Patrick Freeman of Kingsford; and great-niece Tori Elam of lower Michigan.

At her request, she was cremated and will be buried in the family plot in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, with no formal services to be held per her wishes.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes for Louise’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain to honor Louise’s legacy of life.