Ishpeming Twp- Bertha Alexandra Seppala, age 90 longtime resident of 255 S. Marigold St., Ishpeming went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the loving care of her family, staff at MCMCF and UP Home Health & Hospice.

Bertha was born in Jalasjarvi, Finland, on March 9, 1926, the youngest child of Isakki and Lempi (Kivisto) Aittoniemi.  She came to America in 1962, and was employed as a cook at Marquette County Medical Care Facility (formerly name Acocks Medical Care) in Marquette for 20 years.  She married Arne Seppala in 1981, and resided in Ishpeming since that time.

Bertha was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church and the League of Finnish American Societies, Finlandia Association Affiliate. She loved to cook. Her Finnish cheese (Juustoa) and angel food cake were staples at many celebrations and funeral lunches.  She loved flowers and her passion was her garden.

Bertha is survived by step-grandchildren Mark Seppala and Lisa McBee, cousins: Joyce (Tom) Dupras of Ishpeming, Ronald (Ruth) Hill of Marquette, Cathy Salo Church and Carol Salo of Hudson, MI, Ruth (Arthur "Butch") Wiljanen of Michigamme, Kay Helberg of Wales, WI, Leah Hansen of Mukwonago, WI, Mark (Paula) Tarvainen of Gardnerville, NV, and Esa (Carol) Tarvainen of Westerville, OH, numerous nieces and nephews in Finland, and dear friends Tanja and Dennis Stanaway and Aileen Brooks Laitinen.  Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Arne, stepson Matt, her parents, a sister Esther Tala, and brothers: Markku, Vaino, and Eino.

Bertha's family will greet relatives and friends on Friday October 14, 2016 from 1:30-3:00pm at the Bethel Lutheran Church where a memorial service will be held at 3:00pm with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating.  A luncheon will follow.

Memorial considerations may be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in memory of Bertha.

Bertha's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .