Laurabelle C. Mahoski
Laurabelle Mahoski
MARQUETTE / ISHPEMING, MI – Laurabelle C. Mahoski, age 96, longtime resident of Ishpeming, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2020, while at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living in Marquette where she had resided since 2011. She was under the loving care of her family, staff at Brookridge, and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Laurabelle was born on, September 25, 1923, in Crystal Falls to the late Edward and Ellen (Wickman) Ponchaud and graduated from Crystal Falls High School and Iron County Business College. During World War II she worked as a clerk/stenographer at Great Lakes Naval Station.
Following the war, she married, Joseph Mahoski, of Amasa, on January 3, 1946, in Amasa. They made their home in Ypsilanti where Joe attended college and then moved to Marquette where he completed his degree.
After moving to Ishpeming, Laurabelle, did volunteer work at Birchview School and was a teacher’s aide at C.L. Phelps School for seventeen years. She served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and sang in St. Joseph’s choir, both for over thirty years. A costume lady for PAAC, she enjoyed being involved in several musicals. She also led Girl Scout troops from Brownie to Cadet levels. A loving mother and grandmother, she loved to sing, sew, read, and do word puzzles.
She is survived by her son; Greg (Marilyn) Mahoski, daughter; Laura (Marvin) Kantola of Ishpeming and daughter; Carol Mahoski Hammar of St. Paul, MN, her ten grandchildren; Greg (Noel) Mahoski, Brad Mahoski, Cory (Lisa) Mahoski, Ryan (Lori) Mahoski, Sarah (Andy) Stevens, Michael (Mindy) Kantola, Justin Hammar, Emily (Andrew) Harer, Elizabeth (Douglas) Westlund, and Ellen (Kenneth) Wilkinson, her nineteen great grandchildren: Jacob, Lorena, Izaak, Hunter, Macey, Derek, Sophie, Allie, Peyton, Lexi, Luke, Owen, Cooper, Sawyer, Tatum, Oscar, Ingrid, Reese, and Beau, and a great-great grandson Kanye.
Laurabelle was preceded in death by her husband; Joe (Oct 26, 2011) and a sister; Dorothy Koskela.
Her family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Brookridge Heights and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice for their wonderful, loving care of Laurabelle.
Laurabelle’s family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30-11:00 am, on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where funeral services will be held at 11:00 am with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating.
A luncheon will follow.
Pallbearers’ will be Laurabelle’s grandsons. Burial will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Laurabelle’s obituary can be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.