Betty Irene Pikka

WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Betty Irene Pikka, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Monday, April 1, 2013, at the age of 84.

Betty was born on April 24, 1928, in Hibbing, Minn., the daughter of Arthur and Ida (Hepala) Stonelake. She attended school in Waukegan, Ill.

On June 25, 1949, Betty was united in marriage with Herbert Tauno Pikka at the Gospel Tabernacle Apostolic Lutheran Church in Waukegan, where she played the piano.

They resided in Waukegan for two years and then made their home on Herb’s grandfather’s farm east of Wakefield.

Betty was a former member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Wakefield and an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bessemer, where she participated in its ladies group. Betty was a talented musician, playing the organ at both churches, and gladly filled in when asked at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hurley, Wis.

She enjoyed traveling, visiting with people, bicycling, shopping, dancing, knitting, reading cookbooks and romance novels, making Finlander squeaky cheese and listening to country music. Betty looked forward to meeting the girls on a regular basis to knit.

She was employed by Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago as a line-supervisor for six years and was a volunteer on the election board in Wakefield Township.

The memory of Betty will never be lost to those who were lucky enough to know her.

Betty is survived by her husband, Herb; two sons, Richard, Wakefield, and David (Jo), Bessemer; two granddaughters, LeiLani (Andrew) Baird, Vienna, Mo., and Nissa Pikka, Bessemer; two great-grandsons, Avery and Finley Baird, both of Vienna; two brothers, Harvey (Phyllis) Stonelake, Minocqua, Wis., and Marvin (Jeanine) Stonelake, Chicago; a sister, Ellen Herman, Zion, Ill .; numerous nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ray and John Stonelake; and a sister, Janet Stonelake.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 4, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Timothy J. Steckling officiating.

Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.