Obituary: Bruce E. Lahti

As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home:

Hancock

Bruce E. Lahti, 80, a well-known area businessman, passed away Tuesday evening July 31, 2018 at UP-Health System Portage. He was a resident of the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Woodland Haven for the past year and a half.

He was born on September 20, 1937 in Hancock, son of the late Leonard and Marie (Heikkila) Lahti. Bruce was raised in Hancock. He was a graduate of Hancock Central High School with the class of 1955. He then received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Northern Michigan University in 1959.

On June 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Carol Sleeman. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple resided together in Hancock for most of their lives. They also enjoyed spending time at their camp on Lake Superior in the summer and getting away to Palm Beach, Florida in the winter.

Bruce began his teaching career in Drayton Plains, MI and then the Hancock Public School System, where he was an art and history teacher. He retired from teaching in 1976. Bruce was extremely creative and ambitious and used these traits to build businesses with his wife and family. His primary businesses were developing commercial and residential real estate, rental properties and owning and operating a construction company. He was always proud to work alongside his family.

Bruce was an active person and was involved in many things. He enjoyed sketching buildings, art, architecture, reading, and politics. He possessed a quick wit, had a tremendous sense of humor and loved a great laugh. He was also a former member of the Hancock City Council.

Preceding him in death are his son David, his parents, and his brother William.

Surviving are: his wife, Carol Lahti of Hancock, his children: Cheryl Harter of Hancock, Brian Lahti of Houghton, James (Margaret) Lahti of Altoona, WI. His daughter-in-law: Paula Lahti of Hancock, His grandchildren: Kimberly Harter, Brook Harter, Nathan (Nicole) Lahti, Emily Lahti, Alex Lahti, Jane Lahti, Carolyn (Daniel) Woldring, Hannah Lahti and Nora Lahti and his 5 great-grandchildren.

His brother, Michael (Sharon) Lahti of Hancock, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at Houghton County Medical Care Facility and UP Health System Portage for the great care they gave to Bruce.

A prayer service for Bruce will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, August 3, 2018, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock with Fr. John Martignon to officiate. Burial will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

Friends may call on Friday August 3, 2018, from 10:00 am until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.

To view Bruce’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.