North Lake – Kay F. Ollila, age 80, of North Lake Location, passed away at her home on Tuesday January 24, 2023, with her family by her side, after a brief battle with cancer.

Kay was born on December 24, 1942, to Evelyn and William Nelson. She graduated from the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1961. Kay grew up in North Lake location with a family of 14 children.  Kay married Reuben Ollila her husband of 60 years on February 3, 1962, and when he got drafted into the Army they lived in Colorado during his military service. She eventually returned to North Lake in 1965 to raise her family and remained there until her death.

Kay was our rock., she made everyone feel special and had a kind and giving soul. She had extreme patience and put everyone before herself. She took care of her husband who was battling Parkinson's disease until three months before he passed. Kay was known for her wonderful food and made the best pizza crust. She taught us how to make grandma's soup and was known for her dumplings, pork pies, Raspberry bars and made potato salad for every family gathering.

Kay loved to crochet dishcloths, blankets and booties. She loved to go to the casino and to take "girl's day" rides with her daughter and granddaughters. Kay was a devout Catholic and member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. She loved angels and the Rosary and said it often.

Kay is survived by her children - Brian (Melissa) Ollila, Diane (Mike) Nardi and Mick (Jill) Ollila; grandchildren - Mike (Michelle) Nardi, Holly (Ally) Nardi, Aili (Zak) Blackmon, Amanda Ollila and Joe Ollila; great grandchildren - Landen, Wyatt, Reece and Brody Nardi, and Angelina Belanger, her siblings - twin brother Ken (Shirley) Nelson, Norma (Jim) Belmore, Mary Morcom, Jim Nelson and Mike Nelson; along with sisters in law Sandy (Ken) Nelson, Darlene Nelson and Irene Mraz; brother-in-law Ken Eckloff; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Reuben Ollila on Sept. 3, 2022, brothers Robert, Bill, John, Richard, George and Tom Nelson, sisters Myrtle Rivord and Evelyn Eckloff, daughter-in-law Kris Ollila and great grandson Brayden Nardi, along with many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A parish rosary will be recited at 11 30 AM on Friday January 27, 2023, at the St.  John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. The family will then greet relatives and friends from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Friday at St. John's with Fr. Ryan Ford and Fr Christian Flagstadt to concelebrate. a luncheon will follow in the K/D hall.  Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

The family would like to thank Paula and Cheryl of UP Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care of our mother and grandmother.

Kay's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.