Ishpeming- Penny J. Miettinen, age 54, longtime area resident, passed away on Friday March 20, 2026 at her home while in the loving care of her family, and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice following battle with gastric cancer.

“If love was enough, you would’ve lived forever.” Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, are some of the many ways to describe Penny. She was a devoted mother to her three daughters. Her five grandchildren were her biggest joy. Penny was a hard worker and a fierce fighter. She will always be remembered for her contagious laughter. Penny was gentle and lighthearted. She loved her family with every fiber of her being. If you knew her, you knew she was time challenged and was always running late for something.

Penny grew up in Republic. When her daughters were young, she was a Sunday school teacher and girl scout leader. She was a great cook and worked for various places cooking, and ran her own restaurant for multiple years, EJ’s Kitchen.

Penny will forever be loved and missed, but her fighting spirit will live on through those she loved.

Though we are saddened, we know she was met by those who were lost before including her parents: Robert Venn and Joan Venn (Sirtola), stepmother: Sharon Brunette-Venn, sisters: Patricia Venn and Susan Fields, infant brother, brother in law, Jerry Fields, grandparents: Camille Venn and Gladys (Slim) Lindberg, Jake and Aili Sirtola, along with numerous aunts and uncles, and her beloved dog Gizmo.

Left to carry on her memory are her daughters: Elizabeth (Eric Miller), Kelsey, and Paige Kuppin, her grandchildren: Tyler Argall, Tanner and Bella Westphal, Abel Miller, and Parker Rebol, sister: Judy (Steve) Antilla, brothers: Bob Venn and Ray Rosten, nieces: Hilary (Dan Girard) Venn, Suzy Prodell, Leslie Johnson, and Melinda Perry, nephews: Robert (Allissa) Fields, Andrew, Brian (Samantha), Tim (Bryanna) Rosten. And numerous cousins.

Following Penny’s wishes, cremation will take place with no public services.

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