IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Helmi I.
Wiljanen
January 31, 1918 – September 20, 2008
Obituary
Michigamme – Helmi I. Wiljanen, age 90, former Michigamme resident passed away on Saturday September 20, 2008 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming where she had resided since March 3, 2008.
Helmi was born January 31, 1918 in Summitt, MI the daughter of the late Olli and Helmi A. (Keranen) Partanen. She grew up in Keweenaw Bay attending the Baraga Schools through the eight grade. Her family then moved to the Michigamme area, where she graduated from the Michigamme High School in 1936. During high school Helmi worked at the Kergan House in Michigamme for Anne Kergan. After graduation Helmi worked for the Quality Food Market in L'Anse, and later for the H. W. Gossard Co. in Ishpeming as a seamstress. When World War II broke out Helmi moved to the Detroit area, working at the Navy Defense Plant in Dearborn as "Rosy the Riveter". After the War, she worked as a cateress for the St. Paul and Duluth South Shore Atlantic Railroad between Champion and Houghton.
She then married Emil Wiljanen, and resided in Imperial Heights Location, where she was a cook at the Imperial Heights School for several years. Helmi was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and had been active in the Quilters group and the ladies of the church along with teaching Sunday school. Helmi had also been active in the local 4-H group, the PTA and TOPS.
Survivors include a son Wayne (Jane) Wiljanen of Michigamme, a daughter Miriam Jackson of Champion, a sister-in-law Laina Partanen of Negaunee, 5 grandsons, 6 great grandsons, a great granddaughter, a step-great grandson, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Emil Wiljanen in 2001, her parents, along with 3 brothers – Herbert, Wilho and Willard Partanen.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 12:00noon until the time of funeral services at 1:00pm on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion with Pastor Carole Neitzel to officiate. A luncheon will be served in the church hall following the services. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.
Pallbearers will be her 5 grandsons – Bryan, Brad and Bruce Wiljanen, & Alan and Andrew Waisanen, along with nephews Steve and Dennis Partanen.
Helmi's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
Helmi was born January 31, 1918 in Summitt, MI the daughter of the late Olli and Helmi A. (Keranen) Partanen. She grew up in Keweenaw Bay attending the Baraga Schools through the eight grade. Her family then moved to the Michigamme area, where she graduated from the Michigamme High School in 1936. During high school Helmi worked at the Kergan House in Michigamme for Anne Kergan. After graduation Helmi worked for the Quality Food Market in L'Anse, and later for the H. W. Gossard Co. in Ishpeming as a seamstress. When World War II broke out Helmi moved to the Detroit area, working at the Navy Defense Plant in Dearborn as "Rosy the Riveter". After the War, she worked as a cateress for the St. Paul and Duluth South Shore Atlantic Railroad between Champion and Houghton.
She then married Emil Wiljanen, and resided in Imperial Heights Location, where she was a cook at the Imperial Heights School for several years. Helmi was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and had been active in the Quilters group and the ladies of the church along with teaching Sunday school. Helmi had also been active in the local 4-H group, the PTA and TOPS.
Survivors include a son Wayne (Jane) Wiljanen of Michigamme, a daughter Miriam Jackson of Champion, a sister-in-law Laina Partanen of Negaunee, 5 grandsons, 6 great grandsons, a great granddaughter, a step-great grandson, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Emil Wiljanen in 2001, her parents, along with 3 brothers – Herbert, Wilho and Willard Partanen.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 12:00noon until the time of funeral services at 1:00pm on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion with Pastor Carole Neitzel to officiate. A luncheon will be served in the church hall following the services. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.
Pallbearers will be her 5 grandsons – Bryan, Brad and Bruce Wiljanen, & Alan and Andrew Waisanen, along with nephews Steve and Dennis Partanen.
Helmi's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
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