Donna Mae "Tootsie" Bianchetti

Donna “Tootsie”, Bianchetti, age 86, of Munising, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at her home in Munising.  Donna was a loving wife and mother. Tootsie was also known by her grandchildren as Grandma Bingo. She was born in Marquette, Michigan on January 15, 1935 to Clarence and Lillian (Dupras) Richer.  Tootsie grew up in Marquette and graduated from high school there.  While working at the telephone company, she met a handsome Coast Guard military police officer, John Bianchetti.  They were married on January 30, 1954.  The lived in Marquette and began raising their family while John attended school.  After graduating from Northern Michigan University, the family moved to Munising where John began teaching for the Munising Public Schools. Tootsie worked as a homemaker for many years. Later in life she started her career at Hartho and retired from CCI/Timber Products as a grader in the veneer mill.  Tootsie and John enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama where they enjoyed spending time with friends and walking the beach.  They were active and faithful members of Sacred Heart Church.  Tootsie loved to play BINGO with friends and she and John enjoyed taking trips to the casino together.

She is survived by her loving husband of almost 68 years – John Bianchetti of Munising; children – Michael (Deborah) Bianchetti of Gonzales, LA, Julie Buchman of Sioux Falls, SD, Gary Bianchetti of Moscow, ID, and Kathryn White of Marquette, MI; grandchildren – Chris, Brian, Brett, Alexis, Jennifer , Jessica, Nick, and Michael; eight great-grandchildren; sisters – Joanne Huff of Marquette, MI, and Bonnie (Charles) Fassbender of Poway,CA.    Tootsie was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Diane in 1968; grandson Stephen Bianchetti; sister Mary Lou “Lou Lou” Peterson, brother Donald “Punky” Richer; daughter-in-law Mary Bianchetti; brother-in-law George Huff and Harold Peterson; sister-in-law Margret Richer.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Michael Ocran at Sacred Heart Church in Munising on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.