Ishpeming- Mary A. Kantola, age 83, longtime Ishpeming area resident, passed away Thursday April 5, 2018 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the loving care of her family, nursing home staff, and U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Mary was born in Negaunee on September 25, 1934 to the late Abraham Niskanen and Josephine Alko. She married her late husband John Kantola Sr. on September 5, 1953.

Mary was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Ishpeming, she had an extensive card ministry for special occasions where she would send a card to everyone she knew including when she went to the nursing home where she would make cards out of paper and give them to staff and other residents. Mary loved crocheting and knitting. She made excellent baked goods, was very generous to her neighbors and loved her cats.

Mary is survived by her 5 children- Susan (Sean Malone) Larson of Pine River, MN, Roberta (Fred) LaPoint of Marquette, John (Kathy) Kantola Jr. of Ishpeming, Sharlene (Dean) Kruse of White, SD, Terri (Mark) Walkowicz of Balston, NY, 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary's family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am until the time of her service at 12:00 Noon at the Bible Baptist church in Ishpeming Twp. on Friday April 13, 2018. Pastor George Ward will officiate the service. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery.

The Kantola family wishes to thank the staff members of the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility and the U.P. Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care.

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

Mary's funeral service recording may be listened to here .