WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Gladys Marie Salmi, 96, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away early Friday morning, Nov. 8, 2013.
She was born on Oct. 9, 1917, in Wakefield, the daughter of Matt S. and Aili E. (Pikka) Jarvi. Gladys graduated from Wakefield High School with the class of 1935, where she performed as their very first Cardinals cheerleader.
On Aug. 25, 1937, Gladys was united in marriage to Reino Salmi in Ironwood.
She was a prayerful member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield and in earlier years, was an active member of the Wakefield Senior Citizens Center.
Gladys was a sports enthusiast who faithfully supported the Wakefield Cardinals, the Michigan Wolverines and the Detroit Lions and Tigers.
Gladys is survived by a son, Terry (Kate), Corvallis, Ore .; her son-in-law, Ward Zuidmulder, Duluth, Minn .; five grandchildren, Tim (Laurie) Zuidmulder and Jane (Wade) Siekkinen, both of Champlin, Minn., Kurt (Kerrie) Zuidmulder, Hermantown, Minn., Erik Salmi, Saint Cloud, Minn., and Drew (Ashley) Salmi, Portland, Ore .; six great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Naomi Voit, Wakefield; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-great-nieces and -nephews; other loving relatives; and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Reino, on Sept. 5, 1979; a daughter, Carole E. Zuidmulder, on June 4, 2007; and three brothers, Rudolph, Vernon and Harold Jarvi.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.
Interment will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.
Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Lutheran Church General Fund, 1202 Putnam St., Wakefield MI 49968.
The family would like to thank everyone at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility for their kindness and loving care that was given to Gladys during her stay there.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.