Margaret Jean Kariainen

TROUT CREEK, Mich. — Margaret Jean Kariainen, 98, of Trout Creek, went home to be with the Lord, on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at Bayside Village in L’Anse.

Margaret was born on Sept. 22, 1926, in Belvidere, Illinois, a daughter of Albert and Daisy Blachford.

Margaret worked most of her life, from building cars to harvesting trees. She retired from the Ontonagon County Commission on Aging at the age of 85.

Margaret enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing with her grandchildren. She was handy with a chainsaw and crosscut saw and always helped with firewood. Summertime meant berry picking, and you would often find her picking wild strawberries along M-28 in Agate. Margaret also took pleasure taking anyone blueberry picking. If someone needed help, she was there, giving rides to appointments or helping at fundraisers throughout the community.

Margaret moved to Trout Creek in January 1967, and married Charles Kariainen. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliaries.

Margaret is survived by a son, John Pinkerton (Colleen Lundgren); a daughter, Jeanne (John) Jeffery; a stepson, Alfred (Gladys) Kariainen; a stepdaughter, Linda Kariainen; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Robert Pinkerton and Charles Kariainen; and 12 siblings.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at noon EST, preceded by visitation at 11 a.m., EST, at the Trinity Community Church in Trout Creek, with the Rev. Micheal Laakko officiating.

A luncheon will be served at the American Legion in Trout Creek immediately following the service.

A committal service and interment will take place in the spring at the Agate Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Margaret’s name to your favorite charity, or a simple act of kindness would be an honor to her memory.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.