Delores Irene Will

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Delores Irene Will, 90, of Wakefield, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, with her family at her side.

She was born Sept. 2, 1933, in Washburn, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Adolph and Barbara (Swader) Holvick. Delores graduated from Ondossagon High School where she found her love for twirling a baton as head majorette. She enjoyed teaching anyone interested in twirling. Her last performance was in a talent show at the Motor Lodge in Wakefield. She twirled a lighted baton at the show as they didn't allow fire twirling.

Delores started her career as a seamstress at Munsingwear in Ashland, Wisconsin, at the age of 19. That career continued at Munsingwear in Ironwood, Foxpoint, Art Unlimited and Anna Marie's. She always found time to design and sew wedding and bridesmaid dresses, matching clothes for her daughters, then granddaughters and Barbie doll clothes. She also created and sewed one of a kind quilts. Delores was also an IBM operator, a clerk at a grocery store and pharmacy, and worked at Head Start. She had a great work ethic and never complained about going to work. Her favorite job was being a mother, grandmother, great-granny, aunt and friend.

Delores had a kind, compassionate and adventurous soul. Her adventures took her across Canada, Mexico and the United States, only leaving out the New England states. From steering an airplane over Benton Harbor, Michigan, horseback riding up Mount Reiner, and witnessing the first flight of the B-52 bomber at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, to kayaking Sunday Lake in her 80s. She always enjoyed a Greyhound Bus ride. Her last adventure was a 90th birthday party hosted by her children at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 in Wakefield. If you were involved in Delores' adventures, they were always full of laughter and a memorable time.

Delores was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church, Wakefield, the Eagles in Ashland, Wisconsin, Finnish-American Dance Group, various bowling teams, an avid bingo player and a steward for AFL-CIO union.

Delores met and married Raymond Nurmi in Kalamazoo, and together they had seven children, Daniel (Jeanne), Janice Maki, Joyce (Michael) Olson, Douglas, Dale (Mickylynn), Judy (Michael) Caruso and JoAnn Nurmi. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Delores later married George Will and they enjoyed 24 years of adventures together, including summers at Lake Gogebic in their motorhome and winters at their property in Dolan Springs, Arizona.

She is further survived by in-laws, Patti Holvick, Ruth Will, Elwin and Phyllis Will; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Thomas, Joseph and Marvin; two sisters, Barbara and Shirley; a son, Douglas Nurmi; two grandchildren, Calvin Huey and Evangeline Maki; her former husband and father of the children, Raymond Nurmi; and her husband, George Will.

A special thank you to Joel and Diane (Nurmi) Laessig, who were always a phone call away.

A celebration of Delores' life will be held at a later date.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.