Ishpeming, MI - Reuben A. Ollila, age 83, longtime North Lake location resident, passed away at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility, under the care of the Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, on Saturday, September 3, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Reuben was born in Republic, on March 2, 1939, a son of the late Aili E. (Walimaa) and Arvid  Ollila. He grew up in Republic and was a graduate of the Republic High School, Class of 1957.  Reuben served in the United States Army with the Military Police, having been stationed in Colorado.

He had worked the American Motors Corp. in the Milwaukee area, the NAEF Foundry in North Lake and at the Tracy Mine for Jones and Laughlin. In 1974 he began his longest employment with the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. first at the Mather B Mine, and then as a Filter Operator at the Empire Mine, where he retired from in 2002. Reuben was an avid Detroit Tiger Fan and enjoyed tinkering with projects and cutting firewood.

Survivors include his wife Kay (Nelson) Ollila of North Lake Loc., whom he married Feb. 3, 1962; 3 children - Brian (Melissa) Ollila of Maplewood, MN, Diane (Michael) Nardi of Ishpeming, and Mick (Jill) Ollila of Ishpeming; a sister - Irene Mraz, of West Allis, WI; 7 grandchildren - Michael (Michelle) Nardi Jr., Holly (Ally) Nardi, Amanda Ollila, Joseph Ollila, Aili (Zack) Blackmon, Ashley (John) Carr, Elizabeth (Donald) Cotterman; 10 great grandchildren - Landen, Wyatt, Reece, Brody Nardi Angelina Belanger, Emilee and Hayden Duso, Kamryn Carr and Mila and Cory Cotterman; 2 cousins - Tina (Don) Weiland and Terry (Janet) Simula, along numerous nieces and nephews including Bill and Kevin Mraz. Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, a great grandson Brayden Nardi, daughter-in-law Kris Ollila and cousin and close friend Tony Walimaa.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home from 4:00 until the time of services at 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 8, 2022, with Pastor Steve Weston officiating. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens at 11:00AM on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, where Army Military Honors will be accorded by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

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