IRONWOOD, Mich. – Bernice J. (Koleski) Grbavcich, 97, a longtime resident of Ironwood, died peacefully Tuesday morning, Sept. 1, 2026 at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.

Bernice was born on Nov. 27, 1928, in Moquah, Wisconsin, a daughter of Teofil and Bernice (Orzechowski) Kulesczyk. She attended Moquah Grade School and graduated from Ondossagon High School in 1946. Bernice continued her education at Ashland County Normal School for two years. She then taught school in Benoit and Moquah, Wisconsin.

Bernice was married to August “Bozo” Grbavcich on June 26, 1954, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Moquah by the Rev. Florian Herides. They shared more than 33 wonderful years together and were blessed with five children.

She helped her husband manage the Safe Way Movers of Ironwood until his untimely death after a brief illness at the age of 58.

Bernice was a faithful member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She was on the funeral pall committee and taught CCD at Ironwood Catholic School on Arch Street and at Our Lady of Peace School.

Her hobbies were knitting and crocheting.

Surviving are three sons, Rudy (Cathy) Ironwood, Frank (Cindy) Marinette, Wisconsin, and Donald (Nicole Corp), Ironwood; her son-in-law, Ken Smerling, Ironwood; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Grbavcich, Ironwood; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives.

She was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, August; a daughter, Diane Smerling; a son, Paul; a grandson, August Grbavcich, in infancy; five brothers, Tony, Leo, John, Stanley and Peter Koleski; and three sisters, Lotty Rimkus, Rose Mattieu, and Frances Jorgensen.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette St., in Ironwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with the Very Rev. Brian C. Gerber, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Our Lady of Peace Religious Education Program.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent care of Bernice during her time there.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc. in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.