Arvo G. Vuorenmaa

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Arvo G. Vuorenmaa, 94, of North Star Road, Ironwood Township, passed away Monday, July 17, 2017, in Ironwood.

He was born Aug. 24, 1922, at home on the family farm in Ironwood Township, son of the late Eric and Selina (Kitula) Vuorenmaa. Arvo attended Ironwood Township schools and was employed in the CCC camps.

From Dec. 7, 1942, until Nov. 23, 1945, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a marine oiler. He was a technical sergeant with the 7th Camp Battery and defended the Panama Canal. Arvo was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.

He was employed in the Geneva and local mines. He also worked in Chicago and Hoyt Lakes, Minn. Arvo drove logging truck and hauled lumber for the Steiger Lumber Company and Ahonen Mill. In the woods he was also a sawyer and skidder operator. From 1967 until retirement in 1984, he was a heavy equipment operator for the Gogebic County Road Commission.

Arvo enjoyed snowmobiling, drove the groomer and was a member of the GRTA. For many years he enjoyed deer hunting. He especially enjoyed fishing for brook trout, as well as trolling Lake Superior, spearing northern pike on Chaney Lake and catching jumbo perch in Pomeroy Lake. He had his own dump truck, where he would haul wood and gravel. He loved to dance, especially polka dance. He especially loved going back and forth to Camp Bucknic, which he was the proprietor of since 1969.

On Oct. 22, 1949, he was married to the former Marian Kauranen. She preceded him in death on April 8, 2010. He was also married to the former Anna Barto on Oct. 31, 1971, in Ironwood, she preceded him in death on Jan. 31, 2008.

He is survived by sons, Bruce (Cynthia Freeman) Vuorenmaa, John (Diana) Vuorenmaa and Steve Vuorenmaa all of Ironwood Township, Randy (Barbara) Vuorenmaa of Marengo, Ill., Joel (Lisa) Vuorenmaa of Superior and Alan (Michelle) Vuorenmaa of Ironwood; a stepson, Shannon (Julie) Sertich of Ironwood; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Niilo (Sonja Luoma) Vuorenmaa of Saxon, Wis., William (Shirley) Vuorenmaa of Franklin Park, Ill., and Harold (Irene) Vuorenmaa of Ironwood; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Gary Lee. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Eino, Sulo, Toivo, Oiva, John, Laurie, Kenneth, and Paul in infancy; and sisters, Elmi Jolgren and Lillian Cornwall.

A memorial service will be held at the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home on Saturday, July 22, at 11 a.m. Rev. Bill Jacobson will officiate. Arvo's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. To view this obituary and make online condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.