HOUGHTON — Coletta Jean Rose, 91, of Houghton, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at UP Health System – Portage with family by her side.
Coletta was born in Dollar Bay, on December 31, 1929, the eleventh of thirteen children, to George and Georgiana (Durand) Rose. She attended school in Dollar Bay through the eighth grade. She joined the Girl Scouts under Mrs. Eugene Sieler, later becoming assistant leader. She loved playing guitar at Girl Scout parties. In 1943, she played on the girl’s basketball and softball teams.
While living in Dollar Bay, she attended St. Francis Catholic Church where she was baptized, made her First Communion and Confirmation and sang in the church choir. After her mother moved the family to Houghton, Coletta attended the Houghton High School, graduating in 1948. She played violin in the school orchestra, sang in the school choir and played on the Houghton High School girls basketball team. She was very active in organizing her class reunions.
Upon graduating, her first job was at Andy’s Restaurant in Houghton. She was employed there for 15 years, starting as a waitress, advancing to being a cook, buyer, and eventually bookkeeper. She excelled in her cooking experience there.
In 1963, she left the restaurant due to having back surgery. Her next job was at J.C. Penney Company in Houghton, where she worked for 15 years, excelling to office personal supervisor. She continued her work career at the…
