Ishpeming - Sylvia K. (Saari) LaCosse, 93, formerly of 312 E. Division St. Ishpeming, passed away while under the care of Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice at 3:50am, Sunday, April 19th, 2009 at Warner Creek Residential Care Facility in Palmer where she had resided since January of 2006.

Sylvia was born in North Lake Location on December 4, 1915, the daughter of the late Oke and Kaarina (Heilala) Saari. She attended the Champion Schools through the 11th grade, and lived in the Champion area for a period of 37 yrs. She married the late Eugene "Peggy" LaCosse on October 24, 1936. Sylvia worked for the United States Postal Service for 23 years, first as a Postmistress at the Beacon Post Office from 1954-57, and then as Assistant Postmaster, and later as Postmaster at the Champion Post Office from 1957-77.

Sylvia had been an active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, sang in the church choir and had served with the Martha Circle with WELCA. She enjoyed reading, painting, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, baking – her prune tarts were excellent, and her pasties great!!

Sylvia is survived by three sons - Gene L. (Karen) LaCosse of Ironwood, Robert K. (Janet) LaCosse of Marquette, Stanley L. (Carol) LaCosse of Gwinn; a daughter Ilena "Kathy" (Louis) Peterson of Aitkin, MN; a sister Julianne LaMere of Champion; 8 grandchildren – Christopher, Nicole, Jeffrey, Scott, LeeAnn, Robbie, Keith and Catrina, 4 step-grandchildren – Michael, Richard, Lori and Toni along with numerous great grandchildren, step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband - Eugene "Peggy" LaCosse (1977), 4 brothers Leonard, Walter and infant twins Joseph & John Saari, and two sisters - Ellen Hyry & Ruth Lundgren.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00am until 11:00am on Thursday April 23, 2009 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday at the Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.

Pallbearers will be Sylvia's grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund at 333 E. Ridge St., Ishpeming, MI 49849 in Sylvia's memory.

The family would like to thank the Warner Creek Residential Care Facility and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care.

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