Lila Elizabeth Nurmi

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Lila Elizabeth (nee Makinen) Nurmi passed away peacefully in Brookfield, on Dec. 1, 2022.

Lila was born on Dec. 15, 1930, in Ironwood, Michigan, to Arthur and Jennie Makinen.

She lived her first 82 years in Ironwood and then moved to the Milwaukee area with her husband, Otto, to be closer to family.

Lila was kind and compassionate, well read especially in the fields of health, nutrition and astrology, musically talented, and artistic. She always loved to dance, kicking her legs up to the very end.

Lila is survived by her children, Debra (Scott) Tarkowski, Jeffery (Cynthia) Nurmi and Gregory (Deborah) Nurmi. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Theo Tarkowski and Phillip (Cassandra) Tarkowski; Benjamin Nurmi, Mialiisa (Jeremy) Collier, Anneli Nurmi and Margaret Nurmi; and Seth Nurmi and Griffin Nurmi. Also surviving are brother-in-law, Milton Barach; nieces and nephews, Barbara Barach (Charlie), George (Linda) Barach, Bob (Dawn) Barach and Janice (Russ) Anderson; and cousin, Doreen Lindroos. Also remembering Lila are the Nurmi (Neal, Gail, Ray, Carl and Christine) and the Anderson (Geraldine, Daniel, Lynn, Lee and Tina) nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Jennie Makinen (Kivi); husband, Gustave “Otto” Nurmi; brother, Tauno, and sister-in-law, Marge Makinen; sister, Emmie Barach; and nephews, Randy Barach and James Makinen.

Lila’s body was cremated in the Milwaukee area, and her ashes will be buried at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.