REPUBLIC, MI - Patricia M. Kaleva, age 98, longtime Republic resident, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming where she had resided for nearly 2 years.

Patricia was born in Ishpeming on November 26, 1925, a daughter of the late Miriam (Keto) and Guy Alderton. She grew up in National Mine and was a graduate of the National Mine High School as salutatorian of the Class of 1942.  Pat went on to work in Milwaukee, WI in the World War II munition supply factories, and had met her future husband Norman O. Kaleva during a train ride home to Ishpeming. They were subsequently married on December 30, 1944.  Pat tended to her family's needs as a homemaker.

Pat was an active community member involved with the Republic VFW auxiliary, Red Hats, PTA, and the Bethany Lutheran Church ladies group. She truly loved to be around people and could always strike up a good conversation. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic.

Patricia is  survived by two sons, Ross (Dorie) Kaleva of Queen Creek, AZ and Douglas (Sandy) Kaleva of Republic, a daughter Sherry (Wayne) Vadnais of Republic, brother Terry (Chris) Alderton, sister Carolyn (Lester) Hendrickson, 5 grandchildren - Brent (Tammy) Kaleva, Heather (Brian) Hayford, Kurt (Barbie) Kaleva, Brian (Jackie) Vadnais, Sarah (Travis) Starkey; 6 great grandchildren - Marissa, Logan, Kaycee, Maddie, Jenna and Tori and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband Norman in 2004, 2 brothers, Kenny and Fred "Alan" Alderton and five sisters, Vivian Matthews, Sally Siik, Lucille Bredeson, Karen Blau, Mary Beth Lawhorn.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 12:30PM - 2:00PM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic. Funeral services will follow at 2:00PM with Rev. Alex Ross officiating. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall. Interment will take place at the Republic Cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethany Lutheran Church, 101 Poplar St., Republic, MI 49879.

Pat's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.