Niilo Arthur Vuorenmaa

SAXON, Wis. - Niilo Arthur Vuorenmaa, 87, of Saxon, passed away Thursday morning, Aug. 15, 2019.

Niilo was born on Sept. 27, 1931, in Ironwood, Mich., a son of Eric and Selina (Kitula) Vuorenmaa. He attended Roosevelt School in Ironwood Township, Mich.

Niilo was employed at the maintenance department at Grand View Hospital for 36 years. He retired in 1993.

Niilo was very proud of his Finnish heritage. He was a supporting member of Little Finland Cultural Center in Kimball and participated in the National Finnish American Festival.

Throughout his life, Niilo loved his dogs, was an avid hunter and fisherman and took pleasure going to camp. He had fun snowmobiling, taking saunas and coffee klutching with his friends at Little Finland. Niilo enjoyed playing his harmonica, was quick-witted when it came to telling jokes and was happy to show his tractor at the county fair.

Niilo is survived by a brother, Harold (Irene), Ironwood Township; his four sisters-in-law, Shirley, Marlene, Darlene and Marilyn Vuorenmaa; his beloved longtime companion, Sonja Luoma; the Luoma, Goin, Borowiec and Marchant families; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Elmi Jolgren and Lillian Cornwall; and 10 brothers, Eino, John, Oiva, Arvo, Sulo, Toivo, Laurie, Kenneth, William and Elmer, in infancy.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Paul Heykes officiating.

Pallbearers will be Bruce, John and David Vuorenmaa, Keith Jolgren, Joe Goin and Walter Borowiec.

A committal service and interment will take place at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township, followed by a luncheon at Little Finland Cultural Center.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the first responders, Iron County Sheriff's Department and Beacon Ambulance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Little Finland Cultural Center, Box 352, Hurley, WI 54534 or St. John Lutheran Church, c/o Marlene (Saari) Mieloszyk, N11905 Saari Lane, Ironwood, MI 49938.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.