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Obituary
Ishpeming- Helen Johanna Mantela age 96, went home to the Lord on December 23rd, 2015 at her home, while in the loving care of her family.
The daughter of Finnish immigrants Sam and Fanny (Kuivila) Nurmi, Helen was born on January 31st, 1919 in Negaunee and was a graduate of the class of 1937 from Negaunee High School. Helen was raised on a farm in Eagle Mills until the time of her marriage to Walfred Mantela on December 20th, 1941. Moving to Ishpeming to raise their family, Helen devoted her life to their three children.
Surviving are her loving children, Mary Mantela of Ishpeming, Douglas Mantela of Escanaba and Kathleen (Dennis) Partanen of Negaunee. Proud grandmother of Bradley (Josie) Mantela of Gladstone, Christopher Mantela of St. Clair Shores, David Mantela of Harvey, Amanda (DJ) Rasner of Dollar Bay and Davin (Kari) Partanen of Midland. Loving great-grandmother "Mummu" to Gabe and Victoria Mantela; Jacob, Kaleb, Gabby and Luke Mantela; Dietrich, Solomon, Reuben and Evie Rasner; Alex, Seija and Hanna Partanen. Helen is also survived by special niece Elaine Kaminen and nephews Don and Wayne Nurmi; and Jim Aird; Ruth Mae Smith and Jean Bosio.
Preceding her in death were her parents Sam and Fanny, her husband Walfred and siblings Eino, Donald and Martha Nurmi and her daughter-in-law Bonnie (Doug) Mantela.
Helen was a devoted member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming and involved in the quilting group until the age of ninety. She was very well known for her exceptional knitting abilities and continued to knit love into every stitch of beautiful baby sweaters and blankets well into her nineties. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren grew up wearing her beautiful creations. Her love of the Lord, family and Finnish heritage were considered her greatest blessings. We thank our mother for keeping our "Finnishness" alive in our hearts and passing that on to the next generation. Helen leaves many special cousins in Finland. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services for Helen will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday December 29th at the Bethel Lutheran Church with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating.
Visitation will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 11:00am until the time of service at Noon. A luncheon will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.
Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Bradley Mantela, Christopher Mantela, David Mantela, Davin Partanen, and Amanda Rasner.
In lieu of flowers please consider Bethel Lutheran Church in memory of Helen.
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 .
The daughter of Finnish immigrants Sam and Fanny (Kuivila) Nurmi, Helen was born on January 31st, 1919 in Negaunee and was a graduate of the class of 1937 from Negaunee High School. Helen was raised on a farm in Eagle Mills until the time of her marriage to Walfred Mantela on December 20th, 1941. Moving to Ishpeming to raise their family, Helen devoted her life to their three children.
Surviving are her loving children, Mary Mantela of Ishpeming, Douglas Mantela of Escanaba and Kathleen (Dennis) Partanen of Negaunee. Proud grandmother of Bradley (Josie) Mantela of Gladstone, Christopher Mantela of St. Clair Shores, David Mantela of Harvey, Amanda (DJ) Rasner of Dollar Bay and Davin (Kari) Partanen of Midland. Loving great-grandmother "Mummu" to Gabe and Victoria Mantela; Jacob, Kaleb, Gabby and Luke Mantela; Dietrich, Solomon, Reuben and Evie Rasner; Alex, Seija and Hanna Partanen. Helen is also survived by special niece Elaine Kaminen and nephews Don and Wayne Nurmi; and Jim Aird; Ruth Mae Smith and Jean Bosio.
Preceding her in death were her parents Sam and Fanny, her husband Walfred and siblings Eino, Donald and Martha Nurmi and her daughter-in-law Bonnie (Doug) Mantela.
Helen was a devoted member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming and involved in the quilting group until the age of ninety. She was very well known for her exceptional knitting abilities and continued to knit love into every stitch of beautiful baby sweaters and blankets well into her nineties. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren grew up wearing her beautiful creations. Her love of the Lord, family and Finnish heritage were considered her greatest blessings. We thank our mother for keeping our "Finnishness" alive in our hearts and passing that on to the next generation. Helen leaves many special cousins in Finland. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services for Helen will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday December 29th at the Bethel Lutheran Church with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating.
Visitation will be held at the Bethel Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 11:00am until the time of service at Noon. A luncheon will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.
Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Bradley Mantela, Christopher Mantela, David Mantela, Davin Partanen, and Amanda Rasner.
In lieu of flowers please consider Bethel Lutheran Church in memory of Helen.
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 .
To order memorial trees in memory of Helen J. Mantela, please visit our tree store.
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