Ishpeming – Ruth K. Hooper, age 79, formerly of 1835 Southwood Dr, Tilden Twp. passed away on Saturday January 2, 2010 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming with her family by her side.


Ruth was born on April 18, 1930 in Ishpeming, the daughter of the late Daniel and Hilda (Kuuttinen) Kiukas. She was a graduate of the National Mine High School, Class of 1948. Ruth was a lifelong area resident and a homemaker. She will be remembered for her love of crafts, including crocheting and knitting. Ruth enjoyed camping and fishing with her late husband Albert.


Survivors include 3 daughters – Patricia (Kenmore) Goldsworthy of Ishpeming, Ann (Paul) Martinsen of Dakota Dunes, SD and Llewanne (Gary) Salo of Ishpeming, a sister Helen Makela of Ishpeming, 4 grandchildren – Christine (Paul) Schwenke, Glen Bertagnoli, Karen (Terry) Jandreau and Shari (Eric) Koski, 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Hooper in 2005, her parents Hilda (1969) and Daniel (1980) and a brother Donald Kiukas in 1940.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 until 6pm on Wednesday January 6, 2010 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 6:00pm on Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Inurnment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Bethel Lutheran Church.


Honorary pallbearers will be Glen Bertagnoli, Paul Schwenke, Terry Jandreau, Eric Koski & Christopher Salo.