Anna M. Slade

Anna was born in Detroit to Elvie M. (Salo) Borns and Arnold Tapio. She grew up in Erwin Township and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1959.

In 1984, she married Wallace E. Slade, her devoted husband of 35 years. Wally was a fifth grade school teacher in Gladsone (Flat Rock), Mich., and their lives joined in Escanaba as Wally and Anna finished their careers. Anna’s career with the U.S. Forest Service began in the Bessemer office, but transferred to the Escanaba office from which she retired in 1996 after 20 years of service. They both enjoyed many good years of retirement together.

Anna was a sweet and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress who always gave of herself to her family and friends. Her crochet work was second to none, and she made the best Halloween costumes for her grandchildren that will be treasured forever. She loved to travel out west and lived a happy retirement. She always had a smile and was a gracious person. She had great perseverance.

She is survived by her husband, Wallace E. Slade; three children, Laurie (Trudeau) Contratto of Niceville, Fla., Todd (Betty Ann) Trudeau of Menominee, Mich., and Jeffrey S. Slade, of Alpena, Mich., and four grandchildren, Bobby Trudeau, Sophia Contratto, Liza Contratto, and Megan Slade. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Sue Hoeft of Ironwood; brothers-in-law, Dick Slade of Ironwood, Daniel (Phyllis) Slade of Borrego Springs, Calif., and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a half-brother, George Ballone of Bessemer, Mich., and Laurie and Todd’s father, Robert (Betty) Trudeau of Johnson City, Tenn.

In addition to her parents, Anna was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Tapio of Bessemer; sister-in-law, Susie Slade of Ironwood; and brother-in-law, Clarence Hoeft of Bessemer.

Our family would like to thank the entire Westgate Nursing Home staff for their compassionate and conscientious care during the last three months of Anna’s life, and to Hospice for the comfort and caring support they provided. Special thanks to Anna’s cousin, Tina Collins, who was so very kind to our mother and family during her time at Westgate.

Anna will be very sadly missed by her entire family who loved her so dearly, and will be remembered by all who knew her.

A funeral will be held at Frick-Zielinski funeral home in Bessemer, Mich., on Tuesday, April 16. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m. and a luncheon to follow.

Burial will be in the Bessemer Cemetery later in the spring.