Josephine Sterle

Josephine Rita Sterle

Josephine R. Sterle, 94, lifelong resident of Nashwauk died Monday, December 28, 2015 at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing.  Josephine was born on June 15, 1921 to Cosmo and Maria (Anzovino) Fragnito in Nashwauk.  She entered the Sacrament of Marriage with Frank J. Sterle in June of 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio.  She was a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Nashwauk.  She owned and operated Josephine’s Café in Nashwauk and was well known in town for her business venture.  She loved to cook and her family and grandchildren were very important to her throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her children, Ronald (Sharon) Sterle and Joanne Cianni, both of Nashwauk, her four grandchildren, Nicole Thornton, Hibbing, Jeffrey Bailey, Nashwauk, Jessica Sterle, Duluth, MN, and Chad (Tricia) Sterle, Grand Rapids, MN, 6 great-grandchildren, Kayla Sarago, Sage Apel, Sam Sterle, Henry Sterle, Jack Sterle, and Julia Sterle, three sisters-in-law, Phyllis Sterle, Chisholm, Rose Sterle, Chisholm, and Minnie Fragnito, Missoula, MT, many nieces and nephews, and her special caregivers, Lisa and Jamie Engel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cosmo and Maria, her husband, Frank J. Sterle in 2005, three brothers, Dan, Nick, and John Fragnito, sister, Margaret Greuling, and her son-in-law, Al Cianni in 2012.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 10:00am until 12:00 noon, Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Nashwauk.  A private family interment will be held at the Nashwauk Cemetery in Nashwauk.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit our website at www.doughertyofhibbing.com .