Jeanne Deephouse

June 28, 2010

The Daily Mining Gazette

HOUGHTON - Jeanne A. Deephouse, 65, died June 19, 2010, at her home in Wyoming, Minn., from complications of smoking for 47 years.

Jeanne was born October 26, 1944, in Oakland, Calif., the daughter of Robert Maurice Viale and Fannie Sophie Kesti. Her father was killed fighting in the Philippines during WWII, receiving a Medal of Honor posthumously. Her mother married Raymond Laiti when Jeanne was a child and subsequently, she took the Laiti name as her own in the first grade. She graduated from Hancock High School in 1962 and proceeded to Michigan State University.

In 1964 she married Bill Deephouse.

Jeanne continued her education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Northern Michigan University in Marquette and Michigan Tech University.

In May 1972, she gave birth to her daughter, Jennifer Laiti Deephouse, in Grayling. She dedicated the next 13 years to being a mother and a homemaker. Other activities included serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, church secretary for Gethsemane Lutheran Church and Friends of the Library in Holly. In Houghton, she was pastoral assistant at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed gardening, camping, cross-country skiing, birdwatching and cross-stitching.

Her entrance to the working world was at her stepfather's store, Laiti Jewelers in downtown Hancock. Later, she worked for Avon Products in New York, National Garages in Detroit and Union National Bank in Pittsburgh. Jeanne taught English to immigrants in Grand Rapids and for two years, she taught third grade at Sacred Heart School in Calumet. She also worked as a receptionist for dentist, Dr. Gary Moberg, in Houghton and was a longtime page for Portage Lake District Library. For the last several years, she was the vice president of her partner, Dale Klee's, business, Old Car Art.

Jeanne is survived by her former husband, Bill Deephouse; former mother-in-law, Helen Bolthouse; daughter, Jennifer Deephouse (Michael Haanela); grandson, Liam Deephouse, granddaughter, Senia Haanela Deephouse; stepsister, Linda (Jim) Linder; stepbrother, Steve (Mary) Laiti; niece, Jessica Laiti; many beloved cousins and her special friend, Dale Klee.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Maurice Viale and Fannie and Ray Laiti; and her beloved brother, John Laiti.

Jeanne lived many places, was blessed by many people, learned much and had a good time along the way.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1100 College Ave., Houghton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jeanne Deephouse Memorial Fund at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.