Elsie E. Ongie

ONTONAGON, Mich. - Elsie E. Ongie, 86, passed away Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at the Aspirus Long Term Care Facility in Ontonagon, where she had resided for several years. 

She was born July 16, 1928, in Green, Mich., to the late John and Maria (Lepisto) Honkavaara who were Finnish immigrants. On June 23, 1951, Elsie married her first husband William L. Stenson of Greenland.  After the death of her first husband she later married Gordon D. Ongie on December 28, 1980.

During her early life, Elise and Bill owned and operated for several years the A&W Drive In in Osceola near Calumet, Mich. She later worked at various homes as a nanny. She and her second husband Gordon enjoyed several retirement winters at their home in Sebring, Fla. Elsie was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 5600 Ladies Auxiliary, enjoyed cross country skiing, canning fruits and vegetables and working out at the AOH Fitness Center. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and learned the language from her parents and siblings. She was a graduate of Ontonagon High School Class of 1946.

Elise is survived by her two daughters, Diane L. Yanasak and Dorothy J. (Joseph) Sharkey; five step-children, Randy (ClareAnn) Ongie, Dan Ongie, Cindy (John) Zbarachi, Linda (George) Beck and Patty Ongie; several step-grandchildren/great-grandchildren; two nieces; and a nephew.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William "Sonny" L. Stenson on June 30, 1968; her second husband, Gordon D. Ongie on January 14, 2011; two brothers, Abraham Zachary Honkavaara and John Arnold Honkavaara; sisters, Mary Alina Raatikka and Aileen Armanda Bristol; son-in-law, Francis E. Yanasak; nephew, Norman Colclasure; brothers-in-law, William J. Bristol, Toivo Raatikka and R. Einar Kangas.

Funeral services will be held at the Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon on Wednesday, Feb.11, 2015, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be in the spring at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Greenland, Mich. The Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be left at canefuneralhome.com.