Republic - Ms. Leona E. Niemi, 92, of Republic, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 at the Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette, where she had resided since March of 2009.

Born Oct. 10, 1921, in Republic, MI the youngest child of the late August & Fannie Niemi. She graduated from the Republic School in 1940. She moved to Chicago, Il in the 1940's where she resided until 1977, when Leona moved back to Republic and lived in the family home.  While in Chicago, she worked & retired from the Chicago Lock Factory. She was a member of the Republic Apostolic Lutheran Church. She loved to go fishing and enjoyed the outdoors. She also loved her feline companions.

She is survived by nephew, Charles (Diana) Niemi of Republic, nieces, Sandra Niemi of Green Bay, WI, Connie (Tom Teckam) Phillips of Goodbar, WI, Anita (Robert) Keto of Republic and Janice (Reno) Escammila of Schiller Park, IL. She is also survived by brother-in-law, Sam (Lucy) Diaco of Sun City, CA and several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by 5 sisters, Peggy Langdon, Marge Diaco, Betty Roina, Phoebe Caneos and Florence Schoot, 4 brothers, John, Onnie, Axel and Edwin Niemi and niece Karen Roina.  She was also preceded by special friends, Arne Johnson and Jerry Brindise.

Honoring her wishes no services will be held and inurnment will be in the spring in the Republic Cemetery.