Linda Jeanne (Prato) Depew

Norway

          We are heartbroken to announce that our dear sister and grandmother, Linda (Prato) Depew, has passed away after a short illness at the Maryhill Manor nursing home in Niagara, Wisc. on April 20th, 2023. She was 82 years old.

          Linda was born the eldest of three children to Kenneth and Vida Prato of Munising, Mich. on November 27th, 1940. She was an athletic and popular child. Linda graduated from Sacred Heart grade school and then Mather High School in Munising, Mich., where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen!

         In 1959, Linda married John “Jack” Depew, who grew up across the alley from her. They were bonded by their great sense of humor and shared love of golf. Together, they had a son, David, in 1961. The family moved all over the Upper Midwest—Detroit, the Fox Cities, Minneapolis—before finally settling in Norway, Mich., where they quickly became beloved members of the community. Check out the bar at the Oak Crest Golf Course in Norway—Linda designed it!

        Linda will be remembered as a talented golfer, expert Bridge player, excellent interior designer, all-star baker, and lifelong, devout Catholic. She was loving, kind, giving, witty, fun, and (despite her many reasons to brag!), above all, deeply humble. She was loved by many and will be missed.

          Linda was preceded in death by her father and mother, Kenneth and Vida Prato; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willard “Willie” and Bertha “Bert” Depew; her brother-in-law David Ghiardi; her sister-in-law Marcia Prato; her loving husband, Jack, and her beloved son, David. She is survived by her two grandchildren, Jennifer Depew of Stanford, Calif., and Jackson Depew of Green Bay, Wisc.; her two brothers, John (Carol) Prato of Sherwood, Wisc., and Allen (Judy) Prato of Green Valley, Ariz.; her sister-in-law Beverley Ghiardi and her brother-in-law James (Laurie) Depew; as well as many, many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

          A special thanks to her granddaughter, Jennifer; her devoted friends; and the staff at Maryhill Manor for their loving care in her final days.

          Services will be held at St. Barbara Catholic Church (159 Mission Street, Vulcan, MI  49892) on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. (Central Time Zone).   Father Marty Flynn will celebrate Linda’s memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. (CST).  A luncheon will follow mass at the church.  Graveside services will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising at a later date this summer.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in her name. http://www.stjude.org/