Ishpeming – Irene S. Harvala, age 92, of 300 River St. in Ishpeming Twp., passed away on Monday June 11, 2007 at her home in Ishpeming Twp.


Irene was born April 3, 1915 in Rock, MI the daughter of the late Matt and Hulda (Kentta) Ruusi. She was raised in Rock, and had graduated from the Rock High School with the Class of 1934. Irene then worked at the St. Luke's Hospital in Marquette. She married Edwin Harvala on Jan. 29th, 1938 in Marquette, and had resided in Ishpeming Twp. since that time. Irene was an active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church where she was involved with the WELCA in the Ruth Circle, Ladies Aid, and the Adopt-a-highway program. Irene was a lifetime member of the Tomahawk Bowman and an avid Detroit Tiger fan.


Survivors include her six children – Elizabeth Abbs of Oxley, AR, George (Judy) Harvala of Gwinn, Irene (John) Janofski of Marquette, Peter (Elaine) Harvala of Ishpeming, Paul Harvala Lindenhurst, IL and Louise Harvala of Ishpeming; a sister Taimi Nelson of Rock; 3 sisters-in-law: Selina Garber of Chicago IL, Shirley Harvala of Ishpeming, Martha (George) Johnson of Roseville CA, 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews. She was precedd in death by her husband Edwin in 1975, her parents, a son-in-law Ed Abbs, brothers; Victor, Emil, and George Ruusi, along with an infant brother Jaakko Ruusi, sisters; Tyyni Johnson, Laila Kaukola, Aili Kaminen, and Lillian Wirtala along with two infant sisters Marie and Hulda Ruusi.


The family will greet friends and relatives at the Bethel Lutheran Church from 11:00am until 1:00 pm on Friday June 15, 2007, where funeral services will be held at 1:00pm with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the Bethel Lutheran Church Hall.


Pallbearers will be Irene's grandsons.


Memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in Irene's memory.