Muriel E. Nikula

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Muriel E. Nikula, 91, of Bessemer, formerly of Illinois, died on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Ironwood.

She was born Oct. 4, 1925, in Chicago, the daughter of the late John and Grace (Moriarty) Schmidt.

Muriel attended schools in the Chicago area. On Oct. 2, 1954, she married Herbert L. Nikula. He preceded her in death on March 25, 2006. She lived most of her life in Illinois and moved to Anvil Location in 1983.

She is survived by her two sons, Gary (Lori) Nikula, of Loves Park, Ill., and Chris (Diane) Nikula, of Lake Villa, Ill .; two daughters, Lori Nikula, of Marengo, Ill., and Jill Beckwith, of Hurley, Wis .; 11 grandchildren, Carri, Jennifer, Daniel, Lindsey, Kelsey, Dustin, Heather, Joseph, Ericca, Nicholas and Heidi; 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ronald (Doreen) Schmidt, of Florida; and four sisters, Darlene Eaves, Jeannie (John) Parziale, Marky (Harry) Hagermann, all of Illinois, and Betty Ellguth, of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, LaVerne Brady.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, at Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood. Pastor Jean Rencontre will officiate. Muriel’s family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday. Inurnment will be held at Windridge Cemetery in Cary, Ill., at a later date.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.