Negaunee – Sylvia M. Manninen, age 99, former Rail Street, Negaunee resident passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee where she had resided since this past November.

Sylvia was born June 9, 1915 in Baraga, Michigan to the late Matt and Wilhelmina (Riisumaki) Laho. Sylvia grew up on the family farm on Hamar Road and graduated from Baraga High School in 1934. Shortly thereafter, Sylvia spent a year with her sister Amelia in Winnetka, Illinois working as a mother's helper. She moved to the Detroit area working first as a housekeeper and then as an EKG tech. During WWII, as a "Rosie" she assembled parts for airplane wiring harnesses for the war effort at the Packard factory, Detroit, Michigan. When the men returned from the war, her job ended and Sylvia was employed by Sander's Bakery. Sylvia related many memorable experiences of her early years.

After the war, Sylvia married Edwin Manninen in Highland Park, Michigan. Later, they raised their two children in the Detroit area. The couple spent their retirement years living at Edwin's birth home in Copper City. Their home was a welcoming place for their children, grandchildren as well as family and friends from far and near. Following Edwin's death in 2000, Sylvia moved to live near her family in the Ishpeming and Negaunee area.

Recently, in June 2014, Sylvia celebrated an 80th reunion with her only other surviving classmate of BHS Class of 1934. Sylvia will be remembered as a great hostess who loved baking for family and friends. Sylvia was an engaging visitor and had a great sense of humor and sharp wit.

Sylvia was a life-long member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church, most recently the Ishpeming congregation. Sylvia lived of the gospel and was an inspiration to those that knew her. Sylvia was a friend to many, including the numerous young adults who cared for her needs in the past few years. Sylvia will be greatly missed as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her daughter – Carol (Robert) Haapala of Ishpeming; 8 grandchildren – Heidi (David), Kenneth (Hannah), Karl (Janelle), Daniel (Gina), James (Krista), Matthew, and Mark Haapala, and Bethany (Roy) Byman; 23 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin; son Leo; grandson Paul Haapala; along with her 6 brothers, Walter, Emil, Paul, Toivo, Wilho and Eric; and 2 sisters Martha Hongisto and Amelia Honkala.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, and again from 10 to 11am on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday at the Laestadian Lutheran Church with James Frantti officiating. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sylvia's grandsons.

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