Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD, Mich.- Melba V. VanLokeren, 89, of Ironwood, died Friday, July 31, 2015, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.
The former Melba Koski was born Dec. 4, 1925, in Bessemer Township, daughter of the late Hjalmer and Lydia (Luoma) Koski, attended Erwin Central School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School as salutatorian of the Class of 1943.
She was married to Charles J. "Charlie" VanLokeren on July 16, 1949, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood by the late Rev. Jacob Hirvi. Charlie preceded her in death on March 8, 2013.
Melba was employed as secretary at Erwin Central School for seven years and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood for two years. She was the assistant juvenile officer in Gogebic County for six years, and served as secretary for the Gogebic County Forestry Department and retirement office until her retirement in March 1988.
She was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Dorcas Guild, served as room mother and treasurer for the Norrie PTA, treasurer of the Ironwood Senior Center Council, and was a member of the 55 Plus Club at the First National Bank in Ironwood and served on the planning committee. She enjoyed the companionship of the people at the Hurley, Wis. Senior Center noon meals, and also enjoyed traveling and visiting her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are six children, Marcia (Larry) Erickson, Becker, Minn., Dave VanLokeren, Boulder, Colo., Linda (John) Toijala, Baraga, Jim (Cathy) VanLokeren, Andover, Minn., Bruce (Kathi) VanLokeren, Tucson, Ariz., and Lori (Larry) Marta, Negaunee; eight grandchildren, Jamie (Dan) Putzier, Rochester, Minn., Chris (Nicole) Erickson, Big Lake, Minn., Matt Erickson, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Courtney (Robert) Wilkerson, Oak Park, Minn., Taylor VanLokeren, Coon Rapids, Minn., Eric Marta, Marquette, Ben Marta, Negaunee, and Katie VanLokeren, Dallas, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Carter and Chase Erickson, Big Lake, Minn., Meagan and Chelsea Putzier, Rochester, Minn., and Addison and Weston Wilkerson, Oak Park; three sisters, Mae (Charles) Markstrom, Cedarville, Judith Durkee, Victoria, Minn., and Phyllis Koski, Shakopee, Minn .; sisters-in-law, Ardyce, Gerri and Beverly Koski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Melba was predeceased by a grandson, Thad Toijala; brothers, Oliver, Leslie and Tom Koski; and brother-in-law, Ed Durkee.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5104 E. Margaret St., in Ironwood, with Pastor Kurt Brandon officiating.
Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chris and Matt Erickson, Taylor VanLokeren, Eric and Ben Marta, and Daniel Putzier.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be given to Melba's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
