Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAUSAU, Wis. - Eileen E. Rantanen, 87, of Wausau, died peacefully on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Weston.
Eileen was born on May 12, 1935, in the town of Kimball near Hurley, the daughter of Louis Raymond and Tyyne (Maki) Kivi.
On Feb. 25, 1952, Eileen married Harold Rantanen in Milwaukee. Eileen and Harold lived in numerous areas around the state, including DeForest, Waunakee, Germantown, Wausau and Kimball.
Eileen was an avid gardener with extensive vegetable and flower gardens at her homes.
Eileen was passionate about community theater, sewing, fashion and makeup. In the 1970s, Eileen and Harold were active members of the Grant/Jefferson Stunt Night group, which put together regular variety shows sponsored by the Wausau Area PTA Council.
She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Wausau and a long-term volunteer at Aspirus Hospital.
Eileen is survived by three daughters, Lynn Cole, of DePere, and Julie (Bruce) Stieber and Kim Rantanen-Day, both of Wausau; and seven grandchildren, Chadwick, Aby (Chad), Jason, Erin, Krystina (Ross), Alexzandra (Jordan) and Cameron (Holly).
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, on Feb. 11, 1984; her parents, Louis
Raymond and Tyyne; her brother, Raymond (Donny), on March 25, 2018; and her son, Brian, on Oct. 19, 2009.
The family would like to thank Dean Day and Kim (Trempe) Rantanen for their assistance and support, the Rennes Health and Rehab Center staff, and the wonderful team at Aspirus Hospice.
Eileen will be laid to rest at a private memorial at the Hurley Cemetery.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home to honor the memory of Eileen. If you wish to express condolences, feel free to go to their website at mckevittpatrick.com.
