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In Memory of
Rita A.
Pontbriand (Witynski)
Pontbriand (Witynski)
1925 - 2017
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Jacobs Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc.
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St Mary's Catholic Church Norway, MI
"In the love that surrounds you, may you find strength...In the memories you cher"
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Dan & Lori McVannel
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Obituary for Rita A. Pontbriand (Witynski)
Florence-Rita A. Pontbriand, 92, of Florence, Wis., passed away Tuesday, June 06, 2017, at Dickinson County Healthcare System, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Rita was born May 15, 1925, in Florence, daughter of the late William and Gertrude (Kenney) Witynski. She graduated from Florence High School, Class of 1943. She then went on to graduate from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Green Bay.
On June 26, 1948, she married Paul Pontbriand at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage, seven children, 20 grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Paul preceded her in death on March 17, 2007.
Rita was first employed as a nurse for Florence County Public Health. Her career path then took her to serve as a Clerk of Court for Florence County for nine years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and belonged to the Altar Society. Rita served as the church organist from her youth to very late in her adult life.
In addition to volunteering her time as the church organist, Rita spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Golden Living Center in Florence. Rita loved spending time at the family cottage on Lake Emily, swimming with her kids and grandkids, walking, snowmobiling and watching the Packers. She spent a great deal of time knitting, and many of her children and grandchildren received one of her special creations. Rita and her late husband, Paul, loved to travel and were blessed with the ability to visit all 50 states. Rita was a strong woman of faith in God who spent her life in service of God, her family, and her friends.
Survivors include three sons, Steve (Debbie) Pontbriand, Spread Eagle, WI., Mike (Mary) Pontbriand, Norway, Mich. and Tom (Wanda) Pontbriand, Rhinelander, Wis.; four daughters, Sue (Bob) Schelble, Denver, Colo., Jo (Gary) Peterson, Mesa, AZ., Francie (David) Rochon, Iron Mountain and Mary (David) Carlson, Iron Mountain, MI.; 19 grandchildren, Scott (Cassie Blazer) Schelble and Kathy (Ray) Tormey, Mark (Christina Anderson)Peterson, Gregg Peterson and Kristi (Justin Andrea) Peterson, Kory (Elsa) Pontbriand and Heidi (Todd) Brown, Missy (Scott Schwerdsky), Dan (Katie) Pontbriand and Joe (Kelsey) Pontbriand, Amanda (Brett) Aylesworth, Logan (Katie) Pontbriand and Tyler Pontbriand, Nick and Joe Rochon, and Rachel (David Jordan), Ethan, Jonah and Hannah Carlson; sixteen great-grandchildren; Asher, Mia, Zoe, Riley Jo, Noah, Jacob, Eli, Stephen, Malin, Weslea, Kinsley, AJ and Jack, Lorelai, Alaina, and Dawson. She is also survived by two sisters, Mary Jo Bomberg and Nora (Richard) Meyers and sister-in-law, Sandy Witynski.
In addition to her parents and husband, Paul, Rita was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mandy Schelble; two brothers, Thomas and Jack Witynski; and one sister, Claire Landry.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth, Wis.
A memorial fund has been established in Rita’s name.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Rita or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, to honor Rita’s legacy of life
Rita was born May 15, 1925, in Florence, daughter of the late William and Gertrude (Kenney) Witynski. She graduated from Florence High School, Class of 1943. She then went on to graduate from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Green Bay.
On June 26, 1948, she married Paul Pontbriand at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage, seven children, 20 grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Paul preceded her in death on March 17, 2007.
Rita was first employed as a nurse for Florence County Public Health. Her career path then took her to serve as a Clerk of Court for Florence County for nine years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and belonged to the Altar Society. Rita served as the church organist from her youth to very late in her adult life.
In addition to volunteering her time as the church organist, Rita spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Golden Living Center in Florence. Rita loved spending time at the family cottage on Lake Emily, swimming with her kids and grandkids, walking, snowmobiling and watching the Packers. She spent a great deal of time knitting, and many of her children and grandchildren received one of her special creations. Rita and her late husband, Paul, loved to travel and were blessed with the ability to visit all 50 states. Rita was a strong woman of faith in God who spent her life in service of God, her family, and her friends.
Survivors include three sons, Steve (Debbie) Pontbriand, Spread Eagle, WI., Mike (Mary) Pontbriand, Norway, Mich. and Tom (Wanda) Pontbriand, Rhinelander, Wis.; four daughters, Sue (Bob) Schelble, Denver, Colo., Jo (Gary) Peterson, Mesa, AZ., Francie (David) Rochon, Iron Mountain and Mary (David) Carlson, Iron Mountain, MI.; 19 grandchildren, Scott (Cassie Blazer) Schelble and Kathy (Ray) Tormey, Mark (Christina Anderson)Peterson, Gregg Peterson and Kristi (Justin Andrea) Peterson, Kory (Elsa) Pontbriand and Heidi (Todd) Brown, Missy (Scott Schwerdsky), Dan (Katie) Pontbriand and Joe (Kelsey) Pontbriand, Amanda (Brett) Aylesworth, Logan (Katie) Pontbriand and Tyler Pontbriand, Nick and Joe Rochon, and Rachel (David Jordan), Ethan, Jonah and Hannah Carlson; sixteen great-grandchildren; Asher, Mia, Zoe, Riley Jo, Noah, Jacob, Eli, Stephen, Malin, Weslea, Kinsley, AJ and Jack, Lorelai, Alaina, and Dawson. She is also survived by two sisters, Mary Jo Bomberg and Nora (Richard) Meyers and sister-in-law, Sandy Witynski.
In addition to her parents and husband, Paul, Rita was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mandy Schelble; two brothers, Thomas and Jack Witynski; and one sister, Claire Landry.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth, Wis.
A memorial fund has been established in Rita’s name.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Rita or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, to honor Rita’s legacy of life
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