Ishpeming- Anna Rachel Kulju of 341 S 1st St. in Ishpeming, passed away July 30, 2007 in her home. Anna was the 4th of 8 children born to John and Marie (Koski) Kulju of Ishpeming. Born January 19, 1924, she was 83.

After graduation from Ishpeming High School in 1942, Anna worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell and then as a bookkeeper for Consolidated Fuel and Lumber Company of Ishpeming before attending Northern Michigan University. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1956 and began her 30 plus year teaching career in Champion. A gifted teacher by nature and by nurture, Anna taught a year at Ishpeming High School before settling in to the Negaunee School System for life. She went on to earn a Master's degree from the University of Michigan, and did post graduate work at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and Potsdam State University in Potsdam, New York.

Anna spent several summers working at YMCA Camp Manitowish in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin as a bookkeeper.

A lifelong active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming Anna was confirmed in Finnish. She served as a Bethel Bible Class Teacher, in the Stephen Ministries, as a church council member, and was the first editor of the Evangel, the church newsletter. Her love of music led to lifelong choir membership. Anna edited and produced 4 of the last 5 church directories. She taught bible studies and organized Fall Festivals.

After her retirement from teaching in 1989, Anna filled her days babysitting for grand nieces and nephews, volunteer reading at the grade schools, and entertaining locally with a band that had no name. She continued to enjoy family and friends and supported her church and community.

Survivors include one brother: John R. Kulju of Marquette, two sisters: Ruth D. Tobin of Ishpeming and Alice (Don) Bolme of Seattle, Washington, 16 nieces and nephews, 33 grand nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

Anna is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Irene Vadnais, Ethel Hill, and two brothers: Rev. William R. Kulju, and Hugo A. Kulju.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday August 3, 2007, at the Bethel Lutheran Church. Rev. Lauri O. Maki will officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and family on Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home, and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the Bethel Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers will be Roger Kulju, Ronald Kulju, Reynold Kulju, John Kulju, Paul Bolme, all nephews of the deceased and Karl Otto, grand nephew.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mary Mantela, Barb Kaminen, Tammy Zaborowski, Shelly Lyons, Sharon Beale, and Connie Brewer, loving caregivers of the deceased.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, the Alzheimer's Association, Upper Peninsula Region, 710 Chippewa Square, Marquette, MI 49855 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, in Anna's memory.

Anna's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where friends and relatives may leave a note of remembrance.