Edna E. Brown

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Edna E. Brown, 89, of Ironwood Township, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2014.

She was born May 30, 1925, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Eric and Fannie (Rajala) Haanpaa. Edna attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1943.

Following high school, she moved to Detroit and found employment as a "Rosie the Riveter."

Edna married Raymond Haapala in 1947. The young couple relocated to Ironwood, and were blessed with two children. Later they divorced.

She then met Roland Nelson and was married in 1962. They were blessed with one son. Roland preceded her in death.

Years later, Edna married Roy W. Brown. He died in 1978.

Edna worked at several retail stores and then was employed by Josephson's Nursing Home.

She was a great lover of music. Edna enjoyed the company of her kids and grandchildren, and always had a way to stay positive, even through the hard times. She looked forward to her day trips to the casino with anyone who wanted to accompany her.

Edna is survived by a daughter, Donna (Tom) Almonroeder, Iron River; two sons, Ray Haapala, Dolgeville, N.Y., and Rick Nelson, Ironwood; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; four brothers, Wilbert "Wibby" Haanpaa, Wakefield, James (Shirley) Haanpaa, Oxnard, Calif., Royce (Brenda) Haanpaa, Camarillo, Calif., and Gerald (Marlene) Haanpaa, Reno, Nev .; two sisters, Bertha Saari, Wakefield, and Marge Lozano, Bessemer; two sisters-in-law, Mary Haanpaa and Pauline Haanpaa, both of Ironwood; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Debbie Haapala; four brothers, Ronald, Donald, Kenneth and Arnold Haanpaa; and two sisters-in-law, Julia Haanpaa and Inga Haanpaa.

A family gathering will be held at a later date.

Interment will take place in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, manager. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.