Ishpeming- Alma M. Locher, 94, of 220 Steel Street, Ishpeming died Wednesday, November 26, at Mather Nursing Center where she had resided for a number of years.


Born October 16, 1914, in Teuva, Finland, Alma grew up in Marquette, graduating from Graveraet High School. She was predeceased by her husband William J. Locher in 1980 and by 4 brothers and 3 sisters.


Alma worked at St. Luke's Hospital until her marriage. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Alma loved anything outdoorsy--fishing, cookouts in the wilds, picking berries, scouting mushrooms, her cherished gardens and working on her home. Alma was a wonderful cook and seamstress who once maintained that, if she had to, she could make any clothing that her family might need except for shoes.


Surviving are her four children: daughter, Geri (Frank) Salat of Austin, Texas; three sons: William of L'Anse, Michigan; Ross (Mary) of Hartford, Wisconsin; Kirk (Donna) of Woodstock, Illinois; 8 grandchildren: Diana VanLanen, William J Locher IV, John Salat, Nathan Salat, Michelle Schwartz, Julie Hall, Joseph Locher, Matthew Locher and 7 great-grandchildren.


Mrs. Locher was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ishpeming.

Funeral services will be held 11:00am Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with Rev. Phyllis DeWitt officiating. Interment will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Family & friends may call the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Thursday from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am.

A light luncheon will be held at the Grace Episcopal Church immediately following the service.

Memorials may be directed to the Grace Episcopal Church or the Ishpeming Salvation Army in Alma's memory