Jeanne A. DePetro, 65, of 1703 Center Street, Marquette, entered eternal life Thursday morning, April 7, 2005, at her home, following a six month struggle with cancer.  Jeanne died in the comforting care of her family and the caregivers of Lake Superior Hospice.   

Born March 14, 1940 in Manistique, a daughter of Ossie and Olive (Peters) Smits, Jeanne was raised in Manistique and was a 1958 graduate of the Manistique High School.  She later attended Northern Michigan University receiving certification as a licensed practical nurse.  Jeanne was employed at Marquette General Hospital for 18 years as a LPN, retiring in December of 2002.  Jeanne enjoyed life to the fullest and spent her retirement years living in Florida in the winters and Marquette in the summers, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  She was also an avid sports fan and Packer fanatic.  She loved to watch her children, and later her grandchildren, play hockey and baseball.  A lover of the great outdoors, Jeanne enjoyed swimming, fishing, and hunting.  Jeanne had a zest for life and was loved by all who knew her.  She will be greatly missed.  She was and will always be our angel, first on earth and now in heaven.  Jeanne was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.

A loving wife, mother, devoted grandparent, and sister, she is survived by her husband, Palmer J. “Pickles” DePetro Jr, whom she married on April 23, 1960; a daughter, Sandra (Martin) Rose of Marquette; three sons, Palmer G. “Pete” DePetro of Denver, CO, Dean DePetro of Tampa, FL, and William (Cindy) DePetro of Marquette; her grandchildren, Palmer “P.J” DePetro, Chad Rose, Brant Rose, Nicholas Maki, Misty Rose, and Kristie Bawden; father, Ossie Smits of Manistique; her twin sister, Joan Holmberg of Manistique; and several nieces and nephews.  Jeanne was preceded in death by her mother, Olive Smits; her brother, Robert Smits; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Palmer and Margie DePetro Sr; and brother-in-law, Donald Holmberg.

Friends may call at St. Michael Catholic Church on Monday, April 11, beginning at 4:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 6:00 pm Monday evening in the church with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick, pastor, as celebrant.  A reception for family and friends will follow in Dunleavy Hall.  Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Martin and Chad Rose, Cindy DePetro, Scott Holmberg, and Tori Henry.  The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family.