Patti Louise Piccione Frounfelter

She graduated from Villa Maria High School in 1964 and from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s in Education and Art in 1968. She married James (Jim) Edward Frounfelter in Ravenna in 1968, and together they moved to Columbus, OH where Patti taught art in the Columbus School District while Jim completed his dental school training. They moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1974. Patti and Jim opened the West Ishpeming Dental Center that same year, where Patti served as office manager.

Continuing in the entrepreneurial tradition of her father, she also owned and managed Curves in Ishpeming from 2005-2010. Patti was a Renaissance woman: She shot skeet doubles with Jim for years; was a licensed pilot; a Bridge player; a fantastic cook; a loving, irreverent Catholic; a theatre coach and enthusiast. Above all she was an artist, and she saw the world with an artist’s eye: She silk-screened her own Christmas cards; made her own clay; illuminated, cultivated, and advocated for the talents she saw in others; and deeply and forevermore inspired all those who knew her with a love of art, play, curiosity, and wit.

She was the ever-loving mother of James (Suzanne Klimek) Frounfelter and Molly Bain (Jeremy Michalek) Frounfelter; joyous grandmother of Frederick “Fritz” Frounfelter and Julian and Aurora “Rory” Michalek Bain; and dear sister of Julie (Jerry) Beach, Lisa (Jim) Long, and Stephen (Penny) Piccione.

An outdoor Memorial Service will be held at 1:30pm, Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the Carp River Gardens, 73 Heritage Drive Negaunee, MI, with Rev. D. Michael Carriere officiating, with a greeting starting at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Women’s Center of Marquette, Marquette Public Radio, Northern Michigan University’s theater department, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council, and/or Emily’s List.

Patti’s obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.