Ishpeming - Elma Miajami Liubakka, age 90, passed away very peacefully with her loving family at her bedside on Saturday, April 6, 2013.


Elma was born on Dec 29, 1922 in Palmer Michigan to Victor & Hilma Hakala. She married Richard Liubakka from Negaunee Michigan on October 11th, 1945. They lived & raised their family on a farm in Palmer Michigan. Elma worked as a seamstress at the H. W. Gossard factory, and as a cook at the Palmer and Mather nursing homes until her retirement. She was a loving and generous wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved reading, sewing and pie making and could always be counted on to find the best blueberry patch.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Charlie & Viljo Hakala, beloved son David & grandson Bradley Liubakka.

She leaves behind her husband, Richard, married 67 years, daughter Sharon (Dave) Koukkari of Maple Grove, MN, sons - Jim (Karen) Liubakka Big Lake, MN, Tom (Rhonda) Liubakka New Ipswich, NH & Brian (Sheila) Liubakka of Duluth, MN, sisters Alma (Junior) Rhoades of Decatur, IL & Ruth Gonsalves of Gig Harbor, WA, along with 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and a host of brothers & sisters in Faith.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8pm on Friday April 12, 2013 at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, Co. Rd. 492, Negaunee, and again on Saturday April 13, 2013 from 10 until 11:00am. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00am on Saturday with Chas Prusi to officiate. Interment will take place at the Negaunee Cemetery.