Valjean L. Contardi

ValJean “Val” L. Contardi, age 83, of Iron River, MI, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, MI. She was born June 27, 1931 in Gaastra, MI, the daughter of the late Clifford and Mary (Bobula) Raymond. She attended the Iron River Schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1949. She was employed as a CNA at the Iron County Medical Care Facility for over ten years. Val was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Lady Elks, and was the first woman Exalted Ruler of the Elks, a position held previously by her three brothers. She enjoyed playing cribbage, baking for parties, making pasties, watching Green Bay Packer games, and especially loved spending time with her family pet, Khloe. Val is survived by her daughters, Lee Ann (Kenny) Routheaux and Julie Jean (Gary) Powell, both of Iron River; brothers, Reginald “Reggie” (Ruth) Raymond, Wayne (Ruth) Raymond, and Frank (Ann) Raymond, all of Iron River; grandchildren, Vanessa Routheaux, Julian (Laura) Routheaux, Krista (Doug) Leonoff, and Jamie Jean; great grandchildren, Kaylee, Alyssa, and Makala Johnson, Guinevere and Beatrix Routheaux, Preston Phillips, and Jaxson and Hunter Leonoff; brother-in-law, Tom Jean; sisters-in-law, Muriel Jean, Bonnie Ashby, Elaine Sterling, and Merle Jean; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Michael, and son James Jean. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 21, 2014 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Valjean L. Contardi, please visit our flower store.