Beatrice E. Ombrello
Ishpeming
Beatrice Edith Ombrello, 93, of 215 S. Pine St., Ishpeming, passed away peacefully at 8:10 am on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Bell Hospital.
Beatrice was born on February 24, 1921 in Marquette to James and Beda (Levine) Hogan. She was a graduate of Bishop Baraga Catholic High School in Marquette. As a young woman she worked at FW Woolworth in Marquette as a clerk and window designer. After the start of WWII Beatrice moved to Detroit and studied at Wayne State University to work as a draftsman for the United States Government. She then worked for the U.S. Lake Survey Office as an aerial map draftsman, drawing maps for bombing runs for the military. Beatrice was part of a team that was chosen to draw sections of the map used to bomb Hiroshima. After the war, she returned to Marquette and married Dominic A. Ombrello at St. Peter’s Cathedral on February 16, 1946. They were married for 59 years. In the 1950’s Beatrice and Dominic owned and operated Ombrello’s Grocery on Division St. in Ishpeming. After a mine accident left Dominic unable to return to the mine, Beatrice and Dominic, with their sister and brother-in-law, Dominic and Mary Tasson, purchased the Paradise Bar in Ishpeming. Mrs. Ombrello retired in 1987.
Beatrice was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. She was also a member of the Paisano Club and Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.
Beatrice was a friendly, outgoing person who loved to talk and always had a story or joke to tell. She enjoyed playing cards of any kind, but especially loved cribbage and the Wednesday cribbage group at the Ishpeming Senior Center. Every Friday and Saturday night Beatrice could be found “holding court” at Mama Mia’s Restaurant. Not many people made it past her reserved booth without engaging in conversation. She loved to tease people by reciting for them a name she gave herself as a young girl. She would tell them her real name was Beatrice Edith Sara May Teresa Frances Mary Joan Hogan Ombrello. She loved the reaction she got and that once people heard the name, they asked her to repeat it on many occasions.
Beatrice is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Lowell Griffis of Shawano, WI; son-in-law, Gary Laitinen of Las Vegas, NV; 3 granddaughters: Rebecca (Robert) Croschere of Shawano, WI, Cindy Laitinen and Krisy Laitinen of Las Vegas, NV; grandson, Daniel (Chelsie) Laitinen of Washington, PA; 3 great-grandchildren; Eric and Ella Croschere and Jaxson Laitinen; brother, Paul (Elaine) Hogan of Marquette; sister-in-law, Rose Fleck of Mukwonago, WI; brother-in-law, Anthony (Bernice) Ombrello of Marquette; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dominic in 2005, and a daughter, Donica Laitinen in 2006. She was also preceded by 2 brothers, Anthony and James Hogan; and 4 sisters: Agnes Dunstan, Ruth Roeland, Grace Knight, and Mary Savola.
Beatrice’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Bell Hospital; your tender care of Beatrice and kind words to us will never be forgotten. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Wayne Carlson and Dr. Michael Grossman; you are both wonderful examples of what a Doctor should be and Bell Hospital is fortunate to have you.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Friday, May 23rd, 2014 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 am until the time of Mass at noon at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon in the church hall following the Mass. Inurnment will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed online at koskeyfuneralhome.com

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