Elmer E. Waurio

HURLEY, Wis. - Eino E. "Elmer" Waurio, 90, formerly of Ironwood Township, Michigan, passed away on Dec. 16, 2020, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

Elmer was born on April 14, 1930, in Ironwood Township, the son of Victor and Matilda (Lake) Waurio. He attended Ironwood area schools and graduated from American Schools in Chicago, Illinois.

He lived in Ironwood Township for more than 70 years. Over the years, Elmer was employed at Farming Operations, worked in construction with his brother, worked at Penokee Mine for seven years, White Pine Mine for 21 years, and then worked at Powderhorn Lodging, retiring in 1992.

On Nov. 3, 1951, Elmer married Isabelle Simington at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, Michigan. She preceded him in death on Dec. 21, 1994.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood Township and served on the Board of Trustees and was a former member of the Ironwood Township Volunteer Fire Department. He also was a member of the Ironwood Township Sportsman Club and Little Finland, serving on the Little Finland Board of Directors and singing in the choir. He enjoyed hunting, fishing on Lake Superior and steelhead fishing on the Carp River in the Porcupine Mountains. He also loved to dance, travel and made three trips to Finland to visit relatives.

Elmer is survived by his son, Duane (Penny) Waurio of Ironwood Township; daughters, Donna Beckman of Ironwood Township, and Debra (Greg) Stano of Callender, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and multiple great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Matilda Waurio; daughter, Diane Chiapuzio; grandson, Kevin Chiapuzio; brothers, Uno, Arnold, Carl, Ynve, Eddie and Albert Waurio; and sisters, Femia Piilola, Bertha Waurio in infancy and Edna Talo.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Interment will be at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township.

The family has chosen Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Elmer's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at rangefuneralservices.com.