Ruth E. Paraventi

Ruth Elaine (Waara) Paraventi, age 84, passed away October 28, 2016 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, MI, following an injury from a fall several months prior. Ruth was born on July 29, 1932 in Stambaugh, MI to Waino and Lillian (Kettunen) Waara, and grew up in the Spies Location. She graduated from Iron River High School in 1951.  While attending IRHS she was involved in many activities, including band (clarinet), Girls Athletic Association, the Redskin Hi-Lites newsletter, and yearbook.  She attended Northern Michigan College of Education receiving her teaching certificate in 1953. Ruth returned to Iron River and taught early elementary grades at Central School until her marriage to Peter Pasquale Paraventi in May 1957. Ruth then applied her talents and devotion to caring for their family with resourcefulness, humor, pragmatism, strength and great love. Ruth enjoyed the outdoors, and spent time fishing or ‘rowing the boat’ in her early years.  She and Pete often visited her grandmother on Sugar Island in the Soo.  Winters found her cross-country skiing the "back 20”.  Summers spent tending the large vegetable gardens at their home and working to thwart the deers’ efforts to devour the fruits of her labors provided a great challenge against the “forces of nature” that she thrived upon.  Time at Camp Lake was, for years, dedicated to the elimination of the giant “wood pile”.  Mystery novels and ‘who-dun-it’ TV shows would always hold her attention. Skilled with a crochet hook, countless hours were spent crafting afghans for family both at home and far away, with one creation garnering a Gold Ribbon Award at the Michigan State Fair. Equally gifted with words, her great intelligence conquered every crossword puzzle and Word Jumble that crossed her path.  Ruth had an uncanny knack to rhyme at will and create poems on the craziest of topics. Her teaching skills were continually demonstrated with her children and grandchildren, the most appreciated being her bread and cinnamon roll baking.  Getting off the school bus each day was all the sweeter when greeted by the smell of fresh baked bread or cinnamon rolls coming out of the oven ‘just in time.’ Ruth’s dry wit and kind smile brightened your day. The twinkle in her eye foreshadowed mischief of some kind. Described in her senior high school yearbook as “dependable, intelligent, cooperative, in a quiet, unassuming way”, Ruth lived true to that description as a steadfast support and touchstone for her family. Her presence in their lives will be greatly missed and deeply mourned. Ruth is predeceased by her parents; brother and sister-in-law Robert W. and Elizabeth (Betty) Waara; brothers-in-law Amelio Paraventi, Joseph Paraventi, Edward (Nano) Paraventi; sisters-in-law Ada (Paraventi) Sgrecci and Eva R. Paraventi. Ruth’s greatest joy, pride, and comfort throughout her life was her family.  She is survived by her husband Peter Pasquale Paraventi, with whom she celebrated 59 years of marriage in May 2016. Her family survivors include son Peter W. & Donna (Waite) Paraventi of Iron River, MI; daughters Karyn R. & William Bosze, Grand Rapids, MI, Anita M. & Stan Ferguson, Downers Grove, IL, and Denise Paraventi & Tom Rouns, Pittsburgh, PA. The ‘apples of her eye’ and most cherished blessings are her grandchildren Peter M. Paraventi, Iron River, MI; Nicole J. (Paraventi) & Bradly Bergman, Ashland, Montana; and Alaina K. (Bosze) & Michael Davis, Madison, WI; and great-grandchildren Brienna E. Bergman, Hunter J. Bergman. Ruth is also survived by her nephews Michael & Rebecca Waara, Rochester, MN, and Patrick & Christine Waara, Hawaii. Nieces and nephews on the Paraventi family side include Robyn & Dan Hermes, Andrew & Maxine Paraventi, Jody & Mark LeVeille; David & Mary Sgrecci, Corinne (Sgrecci) Voelker; Yvonne (Paraventi) Ayers, Roxanne & John Melchoiri, Joseph & Joann Paraventi. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 3, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth E. Paraventi, please visit our flower store.