Irene I. Parenteau

Irene (Tuura) Parenteau, 94, of Superior, WI died peacefully, Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center in Superior. She was born July 19, 1926 to John and Verna (Haukkala) Pellman on the family farm in Maple, WI.

She attended school in Maple and graduated from Superior Central High School.

Irene was united in marriage to Willard Tuura on October 5, 1946, together they resided in Brule, WI where they raised their family. She was a devoted mother raising and caring for her daughter and 2 sons afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy. She and Willard built a cabin on Lake Superior for their sons in wheelchairs to enjoy, always entertaining family and friends.

Irene worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Middle River for many years.

She was united in marriage to Gerald Parenteau June 29, 1977, after which they relocated to Superior where they resided for many years. After their retirement, they spent several winters in Texas as snowbirds until Jerry passed away in 2001.

Irene was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Oulu where she was a Sunday School teacher and was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and it’s Mary Circle in Superior. She was also a member of the Old Brule Heritage Society, the Jaarvenpaa Finnish Choir, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Douglas County Homemakers and was a 4-H leader in Douglas County.

Irene was proud of her Finnish heritage and above all, she cherished her family and friends and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (James) Johnson; step-daughters, Bobbi (Gary) Holgers, and Bonnie Parenteau; daughter-in-law, Nancy (John) Braud; sister, Edith Warner; brother, Ernest (Liz) Pellman; in-laws, Mary Ann Gronquist, Richard (Barbara) Tuura, and Nora Parenteau; grandchildren, David (Whitney) Tuura, Carly Tuura, Lucas (Jordan Gloss) Tuura, Jonathan Braud, Jill Pohjonen, Lisa Trask, Jennifer, Lindsay and Lori Mattson, Jerry Holgers, Sarah (Nic Rosseter) Collins and Seth Collins, Alanna (Joe) Epping, Rob (Amanda) Johnson, Andy (Nicole Keller) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Adam Looker, Kaitlyn Trask, Alexandria Hewitt, Aiden, Aubrey and Cain Tuura, Ryder Guidry, Dominic, Evan, Jaxon and Thomas Rosseter, Klay and Troy Collins, Conner and Brenna Epping, and Emma and Clay Johnson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; sons, Kenneth and Ronald Tuura; grandson, Michael Holgers; sisters, Ruth Beckman, Delores Gramer, and Helen Luoma; brothers, Carl and George Pellman; and her first husband and father of her children, Willard Tuura and Rose Paulson.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation for the wonderful care they gave to their mother.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1708 John Avenue, Superior, and will continue until the 11:00 AM Memorial Service with Pastor Michelle Rowell officiating. Burial will be in Ever-Rest Cemetery.

Should friends desire, memorials are preferred to Concordia Lutheran Church, 1708 John Avenue, Superior, WI 54880, or the Old Brule Heritage Society, P.O. Box 24, Maple, WI 54854.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.