Cora Grace Pietila

Republic, MI- Mrs. Cora Grace Pietila, 85, of 174 Willow Dr. Republic. passed away Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 at Bell Hospital in Ishpeming.

Cora was born in Boniface, Michigan on January 24, 1925, the daughter of the late William John and Mae (Codd) Kirker. Cora was a homemaker. She resided in Republic since 1952 moving from Eagle River.

Cora was a member of the Republic United Methodist Church being involved with Ladies Aid and United Methodist Women; she also belonged to the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Republic. Cora enjoyed gardening, traveling with family and friends to Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, embroidery and eating out with friends.

Cora is survived by two daughters, Carolyn (Clarence) Snell of Kernersville, NC;
Cora (Richard) Crawford of Elk Rapids, MI; two sons William "Peach" Pietila of Champion, MI; Robert (Holly) Pietila of Jenison, MI; 4 grandchildren: Brad, Nancy, Kyle and Renee, 3 great grandchildren: Cassie, Kayla and Hannah, a sister, Mildred (Don) Lewis of Crandon, WI; two brothers, Kenneth (Joan) Kirker of Crandon, WI, and Robert Kirker of Milwaukee along with several nieces and nephews. Cora was preceded in death by her parents, husband August, a son August Jr., 4 brothers: Jack, Larry, Ben and Bill Kirker.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Republic United Methodist Church, Republic, with Rev. Mark Ryan officiating. Interment will take place in the Republic Twp Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at the Republic United Methodist Church on Saturday from 12:00noon until the time of service at 1:00PM.

Pallbearers will be Brad Bergman, Kyle Pietila, Mike Carr and Mark Onkalo.

Memorials may be directed to the Republic United Methodist Church in memory of Cora Pietila.

Cora's family would like to thank Lillian Starkey, Celia Hicks, Ann Marie Mattson, Aurelia Mathaney, Esther Syrjanen and Jesse Onkalo for their dedicated friendship to Cora.

Cora's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where her guest book may be signed.