WAKEFIELD, Mich. -- Aino Kylliki Hokkanen Lutwitzi, 99, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2010, in Wakefield.

She had resided at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield since Oct. 30, 2006. Her permanent residence for 53 years was Mt. Zion Drive, Ironwood.

Born June 28, 1911, in Vaasa, Finland, to Tobias and Hilda Hokkanen, she boarded a ship in 1913 and traveled to the United States. Ina was married to Raymond J. Lutwitzi on August 28, 1934.

Ina was a nature lover and loved all animals. She possessed a gentle soul, a generous heart and a great amount of wit.

The Lutwitzi family always had a dog or two. Ina adopted a stray kitten and named her Chlorinda; the cat was with her for more than 12 years. When Ina moved to the first nursing facility in 2002, Chlorinda was given to the Rev.

Laurie Brandt, who renamed her Chloe.

Ina was in awe of the change in seasons. Her favorite summer activity was to go to Lake Superior and search for drift wood and rocks. She had a great imagination and could always find an outline of an object or a face in the driftwood or rock. Ina was very creative and could make a beautiful arrangement from weeds, sticks and plants from the woods.

She enjoyed her many flower gardens. In the fall, it was the beautiful change in color of the leaves and a view to see from the top of Mt. Zion. Winter brought the trees frosted with snow and ice, and she would say that the sun danced off  the coated branches. It would remind her of fairyland. In the spring, it was time to plant the bulbs that turned into her gorgeous flower gardens.

Ina and Ray were great dancing partners and floated about the room as if on a cloud.

She is survived by her children: her son, Joseph Ralph Lutwitzi, of Rochester, Minn, his wife, Linda, granddaughter, Rae, and greatgranddaughter, Morgan Dondlinger, and daughter, Connie Joan Lutwitzi Wilcox, of St. Paul, Minn.

She was preceded by death by her parents, Tobias and Hilda Hokkanen; two brothers, Oliver and Bernard; and her husband of 67 years, Raymond Lutwitzi.

Ina's family would like to acknowledge and thank Chester Borowiec, now deceased, for his 50 years of loyal service to the family and his esteemed friendship to Ray and generous and kind support in the care of Ina. Also, they would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to Vivian Gunter Rudberg for extending her love and comfort to Ina at her time of passing.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 30, 2010, at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Block 104, Ironwood. The Rev. Laurie Brandt from St. Paul, Minn., will officiate.

A coffee reception will follow the service.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory of Ironwood and Hurley is in charge of arrangements.