Katherine Marie (Lehto) Nousiainen

BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. — Katherine Marie (Lehto) Nousiainen passed away peacefully at her home Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, she was 84. Katherine was born in Bruce Crossing on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1937, to Peter Lehto and Mary (Pelkola) Lehto.

She grew up on a farm in Haight Township on Tanland Lake Road. Being the oldest of three kids, she often told the story of how she had to skid tie-cuts for her father, with the horses and do barn chores (dairy cattle). Upon graduating from Ewen High School in 1955, she made her way downstate to Jackson to seek employment. Her aunt and uncle, Eileen and Paul Kallio, were kind enough to take her in. She was hired in the office at Kentmoore Corp. on South Jackson Street. Shortly thereafter, she met her future husband, Bob Nousiainen. They were married at the Watersmeet Baptist Church on Aug. 3, 1957, with Pastor Turkey.

They lived in Jackson until 1960, and then moved to Bruce Crossing, purchased a non working farm and Bob went to work at White Pine Copper Mine.

Kathy and Bob are long time members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Paynesville, led by Pastor Kay Richter. After the children were raised, she worked at Tulppo’s Restaurant and then 17 years at Nordine Food Land.

Every summer Kathy and Bob went on long vacation trips with the kids, like in 1967 to Washington D.C. and New England. They traveled to Pennsylvania to visit brother Gordon and Barb, and to Idaho to see brother Bill and family. They traveled by car for 21 years to Florida during the winter months, and spent time with Al and Cora Niemi, and son Steve and family. She also traveled to Europe with her sister Cora and girls.

Kathy was a member of the Crossroad Senior Citizen Club, and long time member in-good-standing of the Order of the Eastern Star, L’Anse Chapter. She bowled in league for many seasons, highlighted by taking the championship trophy on one of those years. She loved to play Bingo, most recently at the Senior Citizen Club in Ewen. She loved the home cooked meals along with socializing there. Kathy and Bob did a lot of camping, pulling their Air Stream to Florida and spent time with good friends Bob and Helen Carter.

Kathy was a great cook and had every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at her house for about 50 years. Her coffee pot was always on for whoever might stop by. She absolutely loved her kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank everyone who was ever so kind to her during her battle with cancer.

Katherine is survived by her husband, Bob; children, Roberta (Greg) Hammond, Steven (Angie) Nousiainen, Michael Nousiainen and Shelly Sironen (Dennis Fleming). She is further survived by 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sister, Cora Niemi; brother, Andy (Debbie) Lehto; and numerous nieces; nephews; a great-niece, Hannah; cousins; and sisters-in-law, Alberta and Barbara.

She is preceded in death by her father, Pete; mother, Mary; stepfather, Arne Piirto; brothers-in-law, Al Niemi, Lloyd Nousiainen, Ron Nousiainen, Gordon Nousiainen and Bill Nousiainen; and daughter-in-law, Maria Nousiainen.

At Kathy’s request, cremation has taken place and a graveside service at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bruce Crossing will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Kay Richter. A get together at Twilly’s will follow.

Cane Funeral Home-Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.