Ishpeming – Ruth Hemmila, age 79, of 109 E. Division St., Ishpeming passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at UP Health System Marquette where she had been a patient for the past month.

Ruth was born December 6, 1936 in Ishpeming, MI the daughter of the late Vincent and Emma (Olive) DeToma. She grew up in Princeton Location prior to moving to Ishpeming in her teenage years. She had resided in Ishpeming since that time and began her working career at Eklund's Laundry. Ruth then became a cook working at several area restaurants including Johnny's and Aunty's Cafe. Later she worked as a bartender at the Ishpeming VFW.

Ruth was a member of the Ishpeming VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking and baking along with knitting and crocheting. Most will remember Ruth sitting outside her apartment on Division St., especially the neighborhood dogs who would stop by for a treat.

Survivors include a daughter Cindy Hemmila of Ishpeming, sister-in-law Dorothy Waters of Ishpeming, nephews – Randy (Susan) Luoma, Bill Hemmila, Bob Hemmila, Reggie Waters Jr., nieces – Regina (Randy) Magstadt and Judy (Randy) Edwards, great nephews – Nicholas and Jeffrey Luoma, Billy Hemmila, Ryland and Randy Edwards and a great niece Desarae Edwards. She was preceded in death by her former husband Henry "Heikki" Hemmila, sister Yvonne Luoma, brother-in-law and sister-in-law William and Evelyn Hemmila, brother-in-law Reggie Waters and niece Janet Waters.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00pm on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. The family will greet relatives and friends from 2 until 4pm on Thursday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Coffee and sweets will be served at the Ishpeming VFW following the services.

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

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .