Herbert T. Pikka

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Herbert T. Pikka, 89, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away late Sunday evening, Dec. 11, 2016.

Herb was born on Aug. 7, 1927, in Wakefield, a son of Tauno and Julia (Sampson) Pikka. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1945.

On June 25, 1949, Herb was united in marriage to Betty Irene Stonelake at the Gospel Tabernacle Apostolic Lutheran Church in Waukegan, Ill.

They resided in Waukegan for two years and then made their home on Herb's grandfather's farm east of Wakefield.

He was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ramsay.

Herb worked at the Sunday Lake Mine until its closure, and in construction for a short time and then owned and operated Herb's Shell Service Station at the east end of Wakefield from 1960 to 1972. In 1972, he was employed at the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company until his retirement in 1989.

Herb's passion was farming. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, speaking Finnish, dancing, particularly the polka, and renovating vehicles and farm equipment.

For several years, Herb was on the Wakefield Township Board of Review.

Herb is survived by two sons, Richard, Wakefield, and David (Jo), Bessemer; two granddaughters, LeiLani (Andrew) Baird, Columbia, Mo., Nissa (Adam) Mabie, Fountain, Colo .; two great-grandsons, Avery and Finley Baird, Columbia, and a great-grandchild due in July 2017; a brother, Kenny, Wakefield; two sisters, Delores Jurasin, Ramsay, and Pauline (Robert) Raffaelli, South Range, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Betty, on April 1, 2013, and a brother, Wilfred.

In accordance with Herb's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, E8223 Sanders Road, with the Rev. Timothy J. Steckling officiating.

Luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall following the service.

The Pikka family wishes to acknowledge and thank profoundly the wonderful staff, especially the second floor staff, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. They are truly a remarkable group of people who treat everybody with dignity and respect often during trying circumstances. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed group of compassionate caregivers in our community.

A committal service and inurnment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, in the spring.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.