Ishpeming- Eva Vulpurri Kohtala, age 80 longtime Ishpeming resident passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility where she had been a resident since October 2013.

Eva was born October 4, 1933 in Pelkie, MI to Abel & Lillian (Moilanen) Pyykkonen. She graduated in 1951 from Baraga High School and married Donald Kohtala. She lived in the Copper Country for sometime prior to moving to the Ishpeming area in 1965.

Eva was a member of the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. She enjoyed playing the piano, shopping, taking rides, reading especially her Bible and visiting with family and friends.

Eva is survived by 4 children: David (Sarah) Kohtala of Appleton, WI, John (Jean) Kohtala of Ishpeming, Dan Kohtala of Ishpeming and Donna (Larry) Vincent of Newberry, a sister Gertrude Makela of Hancock, 4 brothers: Robert (Irene) Byykkonen of Ishpeming, Donald (Verna) Byykkonen of Phoenix, AZ, David (Agnes) Pyykkonen of Houghton, and Bruce (Katie) Pyykkonen of Lake Linden, a sister in law Florence Pesola of Dodgeville, 10 grandchildren: Jesse, Melissa, Andy, Luke, Elizabeth, Laura, Seth, Monica, Hannah and Joey, 7 great grandchildren: Tayla, Hunter, Jaska, Colin, Hailey, Megan and Dylan along with numerous nieces and nephews & her extended church family. Eva was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, brother Roy Byykkonen and daughter in law Judy Kohtala.

Eva's family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30-11:00am on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where funeral services will be held at 11:00am with Rev. Micah Hjermstad officiating.

Interment will take place in the Chassell Cemetery

Pallbearers will be Eva's grandchildren.

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