Ishpeming – Helen I. Kakkuri, age 101, longtime Ishpeming Twp. resident passed away peacefully on Thursday October 26, 2017 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming while in the loving care of her family.

Helen was born July 12, 1916 in Crystal Falls, MI the daughter of the late William and Senja (Hakala) Nurmi. Helen lost her father at a young age and she and her mother relocated to Milwaukee for a brief time prior to moving to Republic where she grew up in the home of her grandmother. Helen's mother passed away when she was 17. She went on to graduate from the Republic High School, Class of 1934. Following her marriage to Bernhardt Kakkuri she resided in the Ishpeming area and had been employed as a seamstress at the H W Gossard Co. and later as a secretary at various businesses in the area.

Helen had currently been the oldest member of the Bethel Lutheran Church. She had been an active member of the community, enjoying bowling, horseshoe's, playing cards especially bridge and cribbage. Summer's spent at the camp on Lake Arflin were special to her along with her winters spent in Texas and Florida in her retirement years.

Survivors include 2 daughters – Mary Ellen Winbolt of Astor, Fl and Diana (Brad) Hallum of Ishpeming, sister-in-law Florence Kakkuri of Ishpeming, grandchildren – Roger (Bridget) Uren, Duane (Rachel) Uren, Brian Giotto, Tina (Shawn) Helsten, Joseph (Stephanie) Giotto, Jeremy (Erica) Hallum, Bradley (Melanie) Hallum Jr. and Daniel (Sherry) Hallum, 24 great grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bernhardt Kakkuri, sister Shirley Setala and brother Marvin Walline.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am until Noon on Tuesday October 31, 2017 at the Bethel Lutheran Church with funeral services to follow at Noon on Tuesday with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. A luncheon will be held in the church hall at the conclusion of the services. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Helen's grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church, 333 E Ridge St., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Helen's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

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