Beaver Grove - Irene H. Nykanen, age 85 formerly of Beaver Grove (Marquette) passed away Friday April 7, 2017 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee while in the loving care of family, staff of Eastwood and UP Home Health & Hospice.

Irene was born on March 31, 1932 at home in Humboldt Twp (Black River Location) to the late Stephanius & Aliina (Mackey) Hintsala. She graduated from Republic High School, class of 1950. Irene worked as a sales clerk at Jeans Jewelry & ShopKo. She was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregation in Negaunee. While a resident in Negaunee, Irene was the Negaunee Housing representative on the City Council and the resident commission president.

Irene is survived by 4 children: Bonnie (Peter) Koski of Humboldt Twp, Merry (Kerry) Lucarelli of Coon Rapids, MN, Gordon (Linda) Nykanen of Gwinn and Bob (Holly) Nykanen of Madison, AL, 14 grandchildren: Ginger (Mike) Rafferty, Trina (Dan) Smith, Erin Stephenson, Dave Nykanen, Nicole (Victor) Aho, Bethany (James) Prusi, John (Melissa) Koski, Jason (Hillary Ropponen) Lucarelli, Kristin (Grant) Prusi, Jamie (Jaret) Salmonson, Dylan (Laura Seppanen) Lucarelli, Travis Nykanen, Trevor Nykanen and Alicia Nykanen, 17 great grandchildren, sisters in law: Ruth Nykanen of Marquette, Judy Hintsala of Negaunee, Ingrid Hintsala of New Ipswich, NH, and Joyce Hintsala of Humboldt along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of brothers and sisters in faith. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Edwin, sons: Roger (Marilyn) Nykanen and Dave Nykanen, 2 sisters and 8 brothers.

Funeral services for Irene will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, April 10, 2017 at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregation, Co. Rd. 492, Negaunee, MI with Dale Kemp officiating. Interment will take place at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.

Irene's family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday April 9, 2017 at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Congregation from 5:00-8:00PM and on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM

Pallbearers will be Irene's grandchildren.

Irene's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com.