Dorothy I. (Ahonen) Silkworth Kuula

KETTERING, Ohio - Dorothy I. (Ahonen) Silkworth Kuula, age 88, of Bessemer, Mich., passed away on April, 9, 2019 in Kettering.

Dorothy was born on Sept. 5, 1930 in Kimball, Wis. to Gustaf Adolph Ahonen and Jennie F. (Nurmi) Ahonen. On July 1, 1950 she married Don Silkworth, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 4, 2001. In March of 2002 she married William Kuula, and he preceded her in death in December 2002.

She was a 1948 graduate of J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis. She raised her jamily in Kimball and then Bessemer. Later she moved back to Kimball and then to Ketchikan, Alaska with her son, Darin. She then moved to Dayton with her daughter, Donna for the past year. Family was most important to Dorothy. She enjoyed picnics with her children and grandchildren and always brought her sketchpad with her. Painting was a passion for Dorothy as well as giving and helping people.

She is survived by her children, Duane (Cyndy) Silkworth, Lake Elmo, Minn., Darin Silkworth, Ketchikan, Alaska and Hurley, Dennis (Judy) Silkworth, Milaca, Minn., Denise (Samir) Bouri, Elk River, Minn., Darla (Thomas) Nelson, Bessemer, Dolores Silkworth (James Terry), Council Bluffs, Iowa, Donna (Paul) Kirk, Dayton, Ohio; fifteen grandchildren, William Silkworth, Steven Silkworth, Rachel Silkworth, Timothy Silkworth, Nicolas Bouri, Anthony Bouri, Ramsey Bouri, Byron (Sara) Nelson, Erin (Cameron) Koester, Pamela Nelson, Donald (Barb) Terry, Henry Terry, Lewis Terry, Andrew (Chelsey) Kirk, and Benjamin Kirk; ten great grandchildren; and step-children, Nelda (Larry Morgan) Kuula, and Jeffrey Kuula. She is further survived by a brother, Ronald Ahonen, Hurley; one sister, Marlene (Andrew) Torrez, Kenosha, Wis .; sister-in-law, Doris Kindred, Ironwood, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Jennie (Nurmi) Ahonen; mother in-law father-in-law, Ray and Hanna (Peterson) Silkworth; sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Roy Cook; brother, David Ahonen; sister-in-law, Mary Hilda Ahonen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred (Madge) Silkworth, Earl (Dorothy) Silkworth, Vern (Mary Ann Behrendt) Silkworth, Phyllis (Vince) Wilson, Ruth (Howard) Plaistow, Charles (Bette) Silkworth, Nelle (Water) Haag, James Kindred, and Dorothy Jane Gustafson.

Funeral Services for Dorothy will be held on Saturday, April 27, at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer at 1 p.m. with Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating. Visitation will be at the church from noon to 1 p.m. There will be a reception following the services at the Elk and Hound in Ironwood.

Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer in the spring.

Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is serving the family. For more information and to express condolences,visit rangefuneralservices.com.