I. Elaine Esterline

HURLEY, Wis. - I. Elaine Esterline, 82, of Villa Maria in Hurley, and formerly of North Bessemer, Mich., passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, June 22, 2017, in Ironwood, Mich.

She was born Dec. 23, 1934, in Bessemer, daughter of the late Carl and Ina (Kangas) Lahti.

Elaine attended the Roosevelt Grade School and graduated from the Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1953. Elaine was employed in Ann Arbor, Mich., as a telephone operator. She was also employed in Jackson, Mich., California and Milwaukee before returning home. Locally, Elaine was employed by Munsingwear, Dairymen's Resort in Boulder Junction, Powderhorn in Bessemer and Simpson's Electric in Mercer.

She was a member of the Norrie Club, Aurora Athletic Club, Little Finland and the Saxon Boating Club. Elaine loved fishing and horses. She enjoyed playing Bingo. She also enjoyed dancing, especially polka dancing. Elaine was the "hub" of her family.

On June 23, 1956, she was married to Elmer M. Esterline in Ironwood. He preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 1991.

She is survived by four children, Lynn (Dave) Jackson, Julie (Loren "Porky") Wiemeri and Erwin (Kim Mattson) Esterline, all of Ironwood, and Ellis Esterline, of Delaware; 10 grandchildren, David Jackson Jr., Kevin Jackson, Nicole Jackson, Stacy Maki, Sara Wiemeri, Barbie Esterline, Deanna Mussati, Dawn Esterline, Rebecca Esterline and Renee Esterline; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Elaine is also survived by a brother, Carl (Terri) Lahti, of Ironwood; sisters, Eleanore Johnston, of Minnesota, Donna (Larry) Pipkin, of Texas, Karen (Bob) Conley, of Minnesota, Sharon (Tom) Laabs, of Ironwood, and Darla (Rick) Jokela, of Minnesota.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Elmer Carl; a sister, Janet Barnes; and brothers-in-law, Pete Johnston, Don Barnes and Dean Jokela. Elaine was also preceded in death by her companion and friend, Leo Ribich.

Funeral services will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 325 West Aurora St., Ironwood, on Friday, June 30, at 11 a.m. Rev. Bruce Estola will officiate. Elaine's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Burial will be the Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory of Ironwood and Bessemer is assisting the family. To view this obituary and make online condolences visit rangefuneralservices.com.