Kathryn M. 'Dolly' Brunello-Aho Lehto

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Kathryn M. “Dolly” Brunello-Aho Lehto, 78, of Ironwood, passed away late Friday evening, Aug. 30, 2013.

Kathryn was born on Jan. 20, 1935, in Wakefield, the daughter of Albino and Sadie K. (Dahlbacka) Brunello.  She attended Hurley (Wis.) schools, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1953.

On Oct. 24, 1953, Kathryn was united in marriage with Lloyd E. Lehto in Hurley.  They were blessed with two sons.

She and Lloyd celebrated more than 55 years of marriage before his passing on Nov. 7, 2008.

Kathryn attended Gogebic Community College in Ironwood and Northland College in Ashland, Wis., and took advanced classes at Hughes Aircraft Co. in Glendale, Calif.

She was an executive secretary, bookkeeper, bank teller and cashier. 

Kathryn was employed by Hardware Mutual Insurance Co. in Minneapolis and at O.K. Auto Parts, Hansen Glove Factory, National Food Store and Gogebic National Bank, all in Ironwood.

In 1976 the family moved to California, and she worked at Hughes Aircraft Co. for 16 years.

After Kathryn retired from Hughes, they returned to Ironwood.  She was then employed by WJMS/WIMI Radio Stations in Ironwood for 18 years as their bookkeeper.

Kathryn was a prayerful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, where she faithfully served on the church council and as an organist and choir accompanist.

Kathryn was past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Elks Ladies Auxiliary and was the last Exalted Ruler of the Ironwood Elks Lodge. 

She is survived by a son, Michael (Belinda), Ironwood; a granddaughter, Brittany Lehto (Dan), both of Wisconsin; a great-grandson, Cody Shepherd, of Wisconsin; her stepdaughter, Colleen (Chuck) Geyer, Webster, Wis .; a stepgrandson, Matt Hammer, Webster; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Loren and MacKenzie Hammer; two brothers, John (Judy) Aho, Apple Valley, Minn., and Donald (Rose) Aho, Green Bay, Wis .; her special sister-in-law, Ida Lindberg, Ironwood; nieces and nephews, Jeff Aho, Ironwood, and his daughters, Kathryn and Bethany, Dave (Cici) Aho, Hurley, and his son, Casey, Scott Aho, Apple Valley, James A. (Diane) Aho, Milwaukee, Jeanne (Kevin) Unger, Gouldsboro, Pa., Deborah (Daren) Anderson, Burnsville, Minn., and their daughter, Sydney, Kimberly (Les) Johnson, Ramsey, Minn., and their children, Blake and Jessica, and Samantha Aho, Gouldsboro, and her sons, Anthony Kershner and Andrew Unger; a great-niece, Heather Aho; other loving relatives, including Belinda’s parents, Reynaldo and Anna Almaraz; and Belinda’s sisters, Selina and Elizabeth; and a host of friends, including special friend, Kenneth Lindquist, Ironwood.

Besides her beloved husband, Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, John Aho; a son, Chad J .; a brother, Glenn J. Aho; and a nephew, Gregory Aho.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 9 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.

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

Private burial will take place in Hurley Cemetery.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family.  Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.