MARENISCO, Mich. - Kathleen "Kathy" Angeline Mae Kauranen, 80, of Lake Gogebic in Marenisco, was called to her eternal home on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, while surrounded by her family in a family home setting, just as she would want it.

Kathy was born in Chicago, to the late Salvatore (Sam) Battaglia and Mafalda (Mae) Martin Battaglia. Having lost her mother at the age of two, her aunt Kay and uncle Tony Coniglio adopted her into their family and raised her with their two daughters, Joann and Dianne. Forever sisters!

Kathy was later blessed with two half sisters, Arlene and Christine Battaglia; and a half brother, Danny Battaglia.

In 1961, she married the boy next door, husband of 63 years, John (Gene) Kauranen. They moved their family to Lake Gogebic from Chicago in 1974, where they vacationed at their cottage for many years. Kathy ran a beauty salon in Bergland, called Kathy's Cut and Curl.

In 1974, she and Gene took a leap of faith and together - with the help of many friends and family - built the Root Cellar restaurant, running it for 29 years before they sold it, by which time it had grown into a full-fledged restaurant/resort, a favorite gathering place for many near and far. They made the most precious of memories and accumulated a wealth of great friendships on that journey.

In 2008, when Walmart came to town, Kathy went to work for them and enjoyed 17 years and many special friendships while there, until she could continue no longer. Her brave and determined, lengthy seven-year battle with cancer was lost. Heaven needed her.

Her family was everything to Kathy, and she had a way of adopting friends into her family and treating them just the same. She touched so many hearts and it is clear she meant so much to so many people. How blessed are we who have been privileged to share life with her.

Kathy is survived by her husband, John (Gene) Kauranen; two children, Randy (Anne) Kauranen of Phillips, Wisconsin, and Tammy Kauranen of Bessemer; brother-in-law, Roger Kauranen of Gillette, Wyoming; two sisters, Joann Scortino of Waco, Texas, and Dianne (Dennis) Ehrhardt of Gurnee, Illinois; step-brothers-in-law, Charlie (Sally) Horvath and Marty (Shirley) Horvath, both of Illinois; two half sisters, Arlene (Chris) Kosmopolis and Christine Battaglia, both of Illinois; half brother, Danny Battaglia, of Illinois; grandchildren, Eric (Julie) Kauranen, Nicole (Jason) Valiga, Brianna (Dean) McManus, Kyle Lillie, Tanner Lillie, Taylor Manchester; and great-grandchildren, Patrick Perron, Kaelyn Perron, Jax Lillie, Audrina Lillie, Beckham Lillie, Waylon Lillie, Tripp Lillie, Garrett Kauranen, Wyatt Kauranen, Addalyn Kauranen and Poppy Valiga; Also surviving are many very special nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by, her mother, Mafalda (Martin) Battaglia; father, Sam Battaglia; adoptive parents, Anthony Coniglio and Katherine Coniglio; father-in-law, John Kauranen; mother-in-law, Pearl Kauranen Horvath; father-in-law, Martin (Dean) Horvath; brother-in-law, Richard Kauranen; and son-in-law, Patrick Lillie Jr.

There will be a memorial service on April 4, at Cornerstone Church in Ramsay. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with a service to begin at 11 a.m., after which a luncheon to be held at the Marenisco Town Hall.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with the arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.