Alfreda LaBocki

Alfreda Jachimski LaBocki, age 85, died on September 24, 2008 at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Michigan following a lengthy cancer illness. Alfreda was born in Stambaugh, Michigan, the daughter of Wanda and Izydor Jachimski. She was preceded in death on September 13, 1996 by her husband Edward LaBocki after 55 years of marriage, also her parents Wanda and Izydor Jachimski, a sister Regina Jachimska and sister Pauline Jachimski Walker, She graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1941. She was a very active student and had great enjoyment being a high school cheerleader for four years. She belonged to the National Thespian Society where she was named Thespian of the Year acting in plays directed by Helen Dunham all through high school. She was a chosen member of the National Honor Society. Alfreda participated for four years in the high school orchestra playing first violin performing in concerts in Marquette as well as locally. In speech class under the direction of teacher Mr. Ray Montambo, she received many awards for Oratory and Declamation competitions in upper peninsula schools. During her youth Alfreda was very much involved in figure skating on ice. She and a group of 12 friends presented figure skating shows and performances for hundreds of people at the Stambaugh, Iron River, and Caspian skating rinks. Alfreda continued to ice skate until she was 70 years old. In the 1950's Alfreda had her own radio program on Station WIKB in Iron River giving recipes, household hints, and fashion news sponsored by General Electric and LaSalle Beverages. She worked for six years at the J. C. Penny Store in Iron River. On January 31, 1942 Alfreda married Edward J. LaBocki. Her husband served in World War II. From 1943 to 1945 she worked as a secretary for the American Red Cross. Returning from the war Edward worked at the Wauseka mine until 1961 when the family relocated to Marquette, Michigan and lived on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Alfreda furthered her professional secretarial career working at the main office of the NMU student center while her husband studied to become a high school business education teacher. Her husband taught school in Alpha, Norway and Iron Mountain High School teaching business education classes, typing and office machines, retiring in 1980. On October 1966 Alfreda was hired as a legal secretary for U. P. Legal Services, Inc. in Iron Mountain where she worked for 20 years. She and Edward enjoyed many wonderful years together at their summer cottage "Karefree" on beautiful Sunset Lake where their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren spent the summers swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing. Edward and Alfreda celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1972. She is survived by her loving three daughters: Beth Marie Larson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nancy Louise Neibauer of Appleton, Wisconsin and Sally Jean Spigarelli (Gregory Kim) of Rapid River, Michigan. Also surviving are : Grandchildren: Dr. Angela Coleman, Sandra Chouinard, Alison Chouinard, Julie Rivera, Dawn Marie Larson, Jennifer Neibauer and Randy Neibauer. Great-grandchildren: Alexandra Noel Coleman, Ethan Coleman; Kai Chouinard and Jazmine Chouinard; Caleb Chouinard and Jacob Chouinard; Lindsay Smalley and Ryan Smalley; Naomi Gunter and Caitlin Curtis. She is also survived by her two brothers Harold Jachimski of Yorba Linda, California and Edwin Jachimski of Negaunee, Michigan and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, October 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River. A liturgical prayer service and rosary begins on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Friday, October 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home with the mass of Christian burial at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Father Raymond Valerio. A procession will follow to the Stambaugh Cemetery for burial honors, then followed by a luncheon celebrating the life of Alfreda Jachimski LaBocki in the St. Agnes church basement. The Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River, Michigan is in charge of arrangements.