Patrick David Spice

Patrick David Spice, 74, of Iron Mountain, passed away peacefully on February 24th, 2024, after a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Pat was born on April 26th, 1949, to Milo and Nelda (nee Post) Spice in Oconto Falls, WI. He graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1967 and went on to attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison to earn his degree in Chemistry in 1971. Upon graduation, Pat worked as a chemist for the City of Madison for several years before returning to school to earn his master's degree in Pulp and Paper Technology from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, WI. He worked as a Process Engineer for Champion International Paper in Hamilton, OH from 1978-1984 and as a Process Engineer and Shift Manager for Champion International Paper / Verso Paper in Quinnesec, MI from 1984 until his retirement in 2012.
During his time in Madison, Pat met Cathryn Grosskopf, of Bowler, WI, and they were married on July 31st, 1976, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, WI. During their nearly 48 years of marriage, they raised two daughters, Amanda and Elizabeth, traveled to most of the lower 48 states and Finland (to visit foreign exchange student and 3rd 'daughter', Silja Mäkinen), and shared a passion for music, as Cathy is an oboist and now retired music teacher of Holy Spirit Catholic School in Norway. Pat played piano from a young age and had a wonderful voice, singing with Dickinson County Community Chorus and the choir at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Kingsford for many years. Pat was non-verbal in the last few years of his life, but was able to sing for a bit beyond his loss of speech. During those years, he enjoyed listening to Cathy play the piano and she enjoyed still being able to connect with him in a meaningful way.
Pat was a dedicated Catholic, and as the oldest of 7 children, developed a caring and generous personality. He volunteered for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Food Pantry. In retirement, he worked part-time as a handy man at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church, and also filled numerous volunteer roles there over the years. Pat was a Fourth Degree with the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight from 2015-2018, earning a Michigan Star Council award during that time.
Preceding Pat in death were both of his parents, brothers, Michael, Anthony, and Peter, and sister, Carol, as well as brothers-in-law, Jerry Grosskopf and Donald Wudtke.
Pat is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughters, Amanda (Chris Lammers) Spice of Spring Lake Park, MN and Elizabeth (Josh) Torres of Kohler, WI; grandchildren, Alex Opsahl, Maeve Lammers, Cameron Torres, and Tatum Lammers; brother, Terrance Spice of Peshtigo, WI; sister, Angela (Bob) Coppens of Oconto Falls, WI; sister-in-law, LouAnn (the late Anthony) Spice of Amberg, WI; Cathy's siblings and their spouses, Gail (Jay) Jaeger of Madison, WI, Jeanne (the late Donald) Wudtke of Shawano, WI, Jay (Annette) Grosskopf of Appleton, WI, Joann Kekula (the late Jerry Grosskopf) of Bowler, WI, and Curt (Mary) Grosskopf of Hyde Park, NY; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the kind caregivers at Family Ties Adult Care Center and Sunny Days In-Home Care in Iron Mountain, the nurses and staff at Friendly Village Nursing and Rehab Center in Rhinelander, WI, and the volunteers from St. Mary Queen of Peace Church for assisting Cathy with Pat's care these last few years.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 29th at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 1st at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church with Fr. Mike Woempner officiating. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Patrick David Spice online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.