Ouida Jane Bressette

After 87 and a half years of bringing delight and warmth to those who knew her, Ouida Bressette passed away peacefully on December 21 after a long illness. Ouida was born on April 7, 1933 in Ontonagon, Michigan to John Percy Brown and Mildred (Roehm) Brown. She attended local schools. Upon graduating in 1951, she left Ontonagon to work in Nebraska as a telephone operator. Because it was “too far away from home”, Ouida returned to Ontonagon and worked in the offices at both the White Pine mine and the paper mill in Ontonagon before moving to Marquette. In Marquette, she worked at the Montgomery Ward store and then, at the Soo Hardware for a number of years. While Ouida never lost her love of Marquette, she returned to Ontonagon to raise her two sons, Joe and Greg.

Ouida worked at Fraki Markets for over 30 years until it closed. After that, she worked part-time for Pat’s Foods until she retired in her late 60’s. She was a ‘people person’ who enjoyed visiting with her customers, many of whom were her extended family and others, who would become her friends. She became a fixture in the community and was involved in a number of activities including the Drum and Bugle Corps and calling Bingo for 18 years. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church. Ouida often said that her greatest joys were her church and her family. She remained close to her former co-workers and loved the get-togethers with the “Fraki Girls”. Ouida’s major comment about retirement was “I miss the people”. She will be remembered as a positive, upbeat, and pleasant soul.

She is survived by her Son, Joseph Bressette of Austin, Texas; her Daughter, Cindi Tingle, of Carrollton, Texas; Grandsons, Greg Bressette, Jr. and Dalton Bressette: Granddaughters, Leannea Waltamate, Kyrie Bressette, and Jessie Buccanero; also her Great-grandchildren, Logan, Haidyn, and Isabel. Also surviving are her Sister, Juanita (Ted) Seid, of Rockland; and her Brother, J. Kelly Brown, of Ontonagon as well as Nieces and Nephews and numerous Cousins; all members of the extended Roehm clan.

Ouida was preceded in death by her Parents, John and Mildred; Son, Gregory John Bressette; Sisters, Ione Smydra and Maryann Brown; and Brothers, William Brown, Dwight “Sonny” Brown, and Bradly Edward Brown.

Because of the COVID pandemic, there will not be a service at this time. There will be a Celebration of Life sometime in the spring, when her ashes are interred at Riverside Cemetery.

Ouida’s obituary may be viewed and condolences left at canefuneralhome.com.

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