Sarah J. Nurmesviita

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Sarah J. Nurmesviita, 58, of Marquette, passed away Jan. 7, 2018, at U.P. Health System. Sorrowfully, yet not without hope, is how we, her family, announce her passing. We are profoundly thankful for her being part of our family. Sarah was born at Trinity Hospital on Feb. 25, 1959, in Ashland, Wis., to Donald W. and Irene F. (Hautala) Mildren.

As a child, Sarah loved to go on rides with her parents. As a youth, she was involved in Gogebic County 4-H and horse showmanship. Sarah graduated from Morton Grove (Ill.) High School. She later attended Gogebic Community College for one year. Sarah was raised in the Christian faith, and shortly after graduating from high school, made a commitment to Jesus as her Savior.

Sarah was married to Markku Nurmesviita who was first a military chaplain and later a captain in the U.S. Army. They later divorced. Sarah was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

For some years, Sarah worked as a certified nurses aide and in retail. In 1994, Sarah obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Texas. Sarah enjoyed playing the guitar and singing, jogging, working, modeling, running races including the Paavo Nurmi Marathon, skating and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Irene and Don Mildren; her grandparents, Nora and John Mildren, and Henry and Hilma Hautala; her sister-in-law, Lisa Ann Mildren, her ex-husband, Markku Nurmesviita; and a close friend in her youth, Kathy Kleimola.

Sarah is survived by her two brothers, James Jim (Ellen) Mildren, of Ironwood, and Ronald Ross Mildren, of Land O' Lakes, Wis .; and five sisters, Marilyn P. Mildren, of Ironwood, Caroline B. Bjorkquist, of the Denver area, Nancy E. Mildren, of Corvallis, Ore., Lois A. Mildren, of Hurley, Wis., and Lisa K. Mildren, of Ironwood; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Fassbender Funeral Home of Marquette assisted the family.

A celebration of life service is being planned for the last week of August at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood with Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde officiating. The exact time and date will be announced later this summer in the Ironwood Daily Globe.

"Yet will I rejoice in the Lord.

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength,

He will make my feet like deer's feet.

And He will make me walk on high hills."

- Habakkuk 3:18-19