02/25/2026
JUANITA (Nita) MAE DEROCHER, 94, of Menominee, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area in Marinette, WI. She was born on October 11, 1931, in Florence, WI, to the late Frederick and Marguerite (Taff) Sternhagen. Nita graduated from Florence High School, Class of 1949. She married the late Louis Derocher on November 19, 1949, and he preceded her in death on August 15, 2015.
Nita was a devoted homemaker who dedicated her life to raising her ten children. She treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, playing sudoku, solitaire and solving crossword puzzles. She served her community by volunteering at the Menominee Museum and reading books to children at Lincoln Elementary School. Nita was a devout member of Resurrection Catholic Church, faithfully attending Holy Hour each week and bringing communion to those who were homebound.
Nita is survived by her children, Mary (Jane) (George) Wajda of Tawas City, MI; Fred (Martha) Derocher of Cedarburg, WI; Janet (Robert) Heinz of Nampa, ID; Sharon (Daniel) Bancroft of Levonia, MI; David (Violeta) Derocher of Green Bay, WI; Fran (Lori) Derocher of Nampa, ID; Rita (Mark) Janson of South Bend, IN; John (Melissa) Derocher of Luxemburg, WI; Char Hetcher of Lantana, TX; and Susan (Jeremy) Thom of Troy, MO. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Louis; her parents; sisters: Winifred Mindel, Joyce Wilhelmi, Marian Hughes, and Audrey Bailey; and brother, Lloyd Sternhagen.
The family of Nita would like to give a huge thanks to the Bay Area Medical Team in Marinette for their kind and compassionate care.
Visitation for Nita will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Cadieu Funeral Home beginning at 5:30 p.m. until time of Vigil Prayers at 6:30 p.m. with Father Jamie Ziminski presiding. A time of sharing will follow the Vigil Prayers. Visitation will continue for Nita on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Cadieu Funeral Home beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m., with Father Jamie Ziminski presiding. A luncheon will follow downstairs in the fellowship hall after mass. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery in the spring. Cadieu Funeral Home is assisting the Derocher family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Menominee American Legion Post 146 (818 1st Street, Menominee, MI 49858), St. Vincent de Paul Menominee (2607 18th Street Menominee, MI 49858), Alzheimer’s Association, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.