Ishpeming – Helen M. Kari, age 94, formerly of 1925 Southwood Dr., Ishpeming, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, where she had resided for the past 3 years.

Helen was born June 1, 1921 in Ishpeming the daughter of the late Leonard and Anna (Kauppila) Maki. She had attended the Fire Center School north of Ishpeming. On Oct. 18, 1941 she married Andrew M. Kari in Ishpeming. Helen had worked first at the A & W restaurant then in the dietary departments at Bell Hospital and the Mather Nursing Center until retiring in 1987.

She was a charter member of the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church where she had been active in the Womens Missionary Fellowship. Helen enjoyed her many summer and fall seasons spent at camp on the Dead River where she enjoyed canning. She will be remembered as one who loved to help her family with whatever was needed. She cherished her role of grandma and would spoil her grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with attending their many activities and sporting events. Helen loved sewing, cooking and baking, her flower gardens and green plants, and feeding the birds.

Survivors include a son Douglas (Elaine) Kari and a daughter Nancy (Kim) Mallett both of Ishpeming, daughter-in-law – Faye Sangala of Ishpeming, a sister Nannie Ann (Richard) Karno of Milwaukee, WI, brother Rudy Maki of Iron Mountain, 4 grandchildren – Todd Kari, Kristin (Shawn) Thornton, Eric (Laurie) Collins and Chad Collins, 7 great grandchildren – Joe & Jacob Kari, Ashlee & Daniel Thornton, Kimmie, Brenden and Daven Collins, along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Kari who passed away nine years earlier on Oct 22, 2006, a son Dale Kari in 1970, an infant daughter Doris, sister Viola Rosaveare, brothers - Frank, Melvin, Clyde and Alden Maki.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am until 12:00noon on Monday, October 26, 2015 at the Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ishpeming Twp., funeral services will follow at 12:00noon on Monday at the church with Erling Langness, president of the congregation and personal friend of Helen's to officiate. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Helen's grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Eastwood Nursing Center, especially Debbie, for their gentle and loving care of Helen during her stay there.

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 .