Barbara Marie Mattila Setala

THUNDER BAY, Ontario — Barbara Marie Mattila Setala, 87, of Thunder Bay, passed away July 21, 2019.

Barbara was born in Milwaukee, June 20, 1932, daughter of late Walter and Jeanne Wundrock.

She was the mother of four sons: Eugene (Geri) Mattila of Wheatridge, Colo., James (Linda) Mattila of Middletown, N.Y., Mark (Jeanne) Mattila of Mosinee, Wis., and William (Candy) Mattila of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. She was also grandmother of seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was greatly blessed by two wonderful nieces and nephews, Diane (Irvin) Heney and Judy (Larry) Huber; and two great nephews, James and Tyler.

Barbara went to Wakefield High School after her parents died. She graduated in 1950 and married Eugene Mattila on July 15 of the same year. She moved to Canada in 1971 after the death of Eugene. She then married Lauri Setala on Sept. 11, 1971, and resided Thunder Bay. Barbara had a ceramic business and Christmas shop until the death of Lauri in 1997.

During her life she was the recipient of the Lord Baton Powell Statue, along with her first husband, for her work with scouting, which continued in Canada. She volunteered for many projects with her church, ceramic association, Al-Anon and the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition. She was very active until ill health slowed her down.

The loves of her life were her four sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her two “adopted” daughters, Diane and Judy. Her faith had seen her through various tough times. She was a member of the Our Lady of Loretta Catholic Church and she also served on the Parish Council.

Barbara loved container gardening, trying new varieties of plants and received a city award for her gardening. She also enjoyed bingo, the casino and doing crafts.

She felt very blessed for all the good friends and dear family in Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; husbands, Eugene Mattila and Lauri Setala; sons, John and Eugene; and aunts and uncles.

Cremation has taken place with burial to be in Wakefield at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Foundation, 63 Carrie St., Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4J2, for the Ground Improvement Project at Sister Leila Greco Apartments.