Rose Marie Haukkala

HURLEY, Wis. – Rose Marie Haukkala, 92, a long-time resident of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2024, at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley.

Rose was born on Oct. 21, 1931, in Bessemer, Michigan, a daughter of Leo R. and Helen (Marshalek) Gayan. She attended Bessemer High School and graduated in 1949.

After graduation, Rose attended the University of Michigan and later completed her education to become a registered nurse at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Milwaukee. She later completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing while a working mother.

After becoming a registered nurse, Rose worked in various hospitals, including at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and Ashland Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Wisconsin, before settling into a career caring for the community, especially the elderly and young mothers, at the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department.

On Aug. 13, 1955, Rose was united in marriage to Eero Haukkala at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Rose's involvement in the community included serving several terms on the Ironwood City Commission and volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. She was also active in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

Her favorite pastimes included bowling, bridge, hiking and, later in life, she became a bingo fanatic. She was kind and generous – sometimes too generous, according to Eero – and always enjoyed a good conversation.

Rose is survived by a son, Jeffrey, Ironwood; a daughter, Lori (Richard) Boes, Ironwood; a son, Eric (Melissa), Marenisco; four grandchildren, Rachel Haukkala, Nicholas Wallace, Aaron Haukkala and Alexander Boes; her sister, Helen Kangas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eero; her parents, Leo R. and Helen Gayan; her parents-in-law, Charles and Senja Haukkala; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, George and Dora, Leo Jr. and Lois, Robert and Donna, and Walter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Eino and June Haukkala, Elmer and Carol Haukkala, and Eila and Benjamin Pusakulich; brothers-in-law, Wesley Jakkola and Marvin Kangas; three nephews, Ben Pusakulich Sr., Richard Pusakulich and Walter Gayan, Jr .; and a niece, JoAnn Lane.

In accordance with Rose's wishes, cremation will take place.

The family will greet relatives Thursday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and the public from 10 to 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with Fr. Brian Gerber officiating.

A luncheon will follow in the church parish hall.

A committal service and interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers and gifts to the family, memorial contributions may be made in Rose's name to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, 216 W. Aurora St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

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