Margaret F. 'Marge' Salo

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Margaret F. "Marge" Salo, 89, of Ironwood, died peacefully Saturday evening, April 1, 2017, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood, with her loving family by her side.

The former Margaret Rimkus was born July 13, 1927, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Frank and Leocadia (Koleski) Rimkus. She attended Ironwood schools and Luther L. Wright High School. It was during World War II when she had to leave school in the 11th grade so she could work in order to help support the family.

She was married to Albert "Bert" Salo on Nov. 5, 1945, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood. This was soon after his return from the war in Europe. Bert preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2002. Marge and Bert celebrated their 50th anniversary with many friends and relatives at Rigoni's Bar in Ironwood in Nov. 1995. Many polkas were danced.

Marge was employed as a waitress at Frankie and Johnnie's, the St. James Hotel and Eva's Café in downtown Ironwood and tended bar at the Bank Club and Mac's in Hurley, Wis., and Olkie's Bar in Ironwood. There was a time in the 1960s when the family lived in Belvedere, Ill., due to work. Marge worked in a factory manufacturing television sets and worked her way up the ladder to a supervisor position. She was proud of this work but also was happy to return home to Ironwood when she was able. She was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former St. Michael's Catholic Church, and the Auxiliary to Ironwood American Legion Post 5 since 1989. She loved people and was very friendly and outgoing. She also enjoyed gardening and word search puzzles and loved owls. One of her favorite pastimes was playing card games, particularly Smear, where she was known as an excellent player. Marge used her herbal medicine skills to help heal sickness and wounds when raising her family. Many hours were spent picking berries and canning fruit and vegetables for the winter. Her children fondly remember coming home from playing outside to the smell of tasty homemade bread. Prior to moving to Westgate, Marge was a lifelong resident of Erwin Township where she and Bert built their home on South Davis Road. In the early years she was one of the few people in the township that wasn't of Finnish heritage, but she eventually became a fully accepted member of the community.

Surviving are two sons, Richard (Christine), Brunswick, Ga., and Russell, Ironwood; two daughters, Christine "Tina" (Dan) Collins, Ironwood Township, and Peggy O'Toole (Paul Wilson), Erwin Township; 11 grandchildren, Cynthia (Michael) Richards, Daniel (Nicole) Collins, Matthew (Gaby) Salo, John (Nita) Salo, Richard (Kim) Salo, Anna Wickoren, Carmen Wickoren, Jenny Wickoren, Sienna Salo, Kelly O'Toole and Derrick Salo; 10 great-grandchildren, Chase and Blake Richards, Richard and Andrew Salo, Lily and George Wickoren, Haley LaCroix, Evelyn Salo, and Faye and Finn Salo; a brother, Frank Rimkus, Ironwood; sister, Christine Kirby, Carlsbad, N.M .; aunt, Bernice Grbavcich, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Marge was predeceased by a son, Rex; granddaughter, Justine Salo; and sister, Rose Lindsey.

Out of respect for her wishes, cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 6, from 10 to 11 a.m., in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

A reception in celebration of Marge's life will be held at the Tina and Dan Collins residence, N11573 Norlund Road, Ironwood Township, upon return from the cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

A special thank you is offered to the staff of Westgate for their loving care of Marge. She understood how difficult providing such care is and always said "thank you" no matter what the circumstances were.