Three Lakes- Daniel R. Nurmela, Sr., 58, of Three Lakes, Michigan passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, where he had been a patient since May 06, 2011.


Dan was born in Marquette, MI on February 11, 1953 the son of the late Roland and Helen (Niemi) Nurmela. A lifelong resident of the area, Dan graduated from Champion High School, Class of 1971. On June 05, 1971, he married the love of his life, Debra.


Dan was a self-employed logger, owning and operating the D. Nurmela Logging Co. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going for rides in the woods and working on his deer blinds. He loved spending time with his family and friends.


Dan is survived by his wife, Debra Nurmela of Three Lakes, two sons, Daniel, Jr. (Marty) Nurmela of Three Lakes and Michael (April) Nurmela of Sands, four grandchildren, Allie and Tyler Nurmela of Three Lakes & Taryn and Kerstyn Nurmela of Baraga. He is also survived by Jackie (Ronald) Skytta of Michigamme, who Dan considered his daughter, and two of Michael's step children, Terry and Amelia Hughes, along with three brothers, Robert Nurmela and Arnold (Laura) Nurmela of Three Lakes and Ralph Nurmela (Michael Newton-Brown) of Florida, and his one sister, Arlene (Jalmer) Lakonen of Three Lakes. Dan was preceded in death by his father and his mother.


The family will greet relatives and friends at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming, MI, on Saturday, May 21, 2011, from 12:00noon – 1:30pm. A memorial service will be held immediately following visitation at 1:30pm with the Rev. D. Michael Carrier to officiate.

Please keep the Nurmela family in your prayers.