Irene M. Suvanto

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Irene Suvanto, 82, a resident of Ironwood Township, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.

Irene was born on Aug. 17, 1941, in Ironwood, the oldest of 11 children to Reuben and Martha (Reini) Kinnunen. She attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1959.

On Jan. 2, 1960, she was united in marriage to William Suvanto at the Apostolic Lutheran Church where she was a lifelong member.

Irene is survived by her nine children, Kathy (Mark) Pusakulich, Ironwood, Debra (Richard) Nicola, Estelline, South Dakota, Steven Sr. (Mary) Suvanto, Yorba Linda, California, Sheri (Keith) Aho, Ironwood, Patti (Christopher) Danielson, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Wendy (Gregory Jr.) Schiek, Abrams, Wisconsin, Scott (Robin) Suvanto, Ironwood, Mark (Anna) Suvanto, Bessemer, and Jodi Borga, Lynchburg, Virginia; 15 grandchildren, Tiah Pusakulich, Ashley Nicola, Steven Jr. and Ryan Suvanto, Joshua, Jeremy and Jason Blodgett, Sarah Danielson, Gregory III and Isabella Schiek, Paige Suvanto, Tori Suvanto, Hannah Borga, Tyson McCallister and Rylee James; seven great-grandchildren, Lilah and Noah Suvanto, Jace, Julian and Jensen Blodgett, and William and Hayes Blodgett; five step-grandchildren, Brad and Kyle Aho, Vivian and Veronica Pavlovich, and Grace Crosby; nine sisters and brothers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William; her parents; one sibling, Dale; and her son-in-law, Ronald Borga.

Following graduation, she moved to Chicago where she was employed by the Webcor company and did office work. In 1963, she moved back to Ironwood where she raised her family. She also worked for The Pastry Kitchen at Carlson's Supermarket, Together Leather, Powdermill Inn, Big Powderhorn Lodging Association and Super One Foods. She always took pride in her work and always did her best.

Irene enjoyed cooking and baking, arts and crafts, painting ceramics, sewing, washing laundry and gardening. She also enjoyed listening to country music. She loved her family and most importantly her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To a beloved Mom, "Bye-for-now," you are safe in the arms of Jesus.

A note of thanks from Irene's family to the care team at the Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community and Regional Hospice for taking such great care of her.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 326 W. Aurora St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Alan Estola officiating.

A celebration of life luncheon will follow the service at the church fellowship hall.

A committal service and interment will take place following the luncheon at Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township.

Memorials may be directed to the National Breast Cancer Foundation at nationalbreastcancer.org.

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