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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Eleanor Sutinen, 88, of Dover Location, passed away peacefully on Friday July 9, 2021 at Canal View of Houghton.
She was born on April 27, 1933 in Laurium to Jacob and Elizabeth (Hella) Maatta. She graduated from Calumet High School with the Class of 1953.
Following high school, she was employed at Gartner’s Department Store in Calumet, MI. She and George Sutinen of Houghton were wed on January 29, 1955. They moved to Camden, New Jersey, where they lived for three years before moving to Southfield and then to Redford Township, Michigan. The family lived there until 1971 when they returned to the Copper Country, settling at the Maatta family farm in Dover Location near Calumet. She was employed at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility where she worked in the kitchen, retiring in 1995. Eleanor enjoyed berry picking, especially blueberries, baking, gardening, reading and spending time with her beloved dogs. She also faithfully fed the wild birds in winter and the hummingbirds in the summer. She loved Polka music and Polka dancing and classic country music. Most of all she loved her family and spending time with them, Christmas was always special as the whole family would gather at her house every year on Christmas Day.
She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Calumet.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Maatta, sisters Ethel Mills and LaVerne Rintala, brothers in law Kenneth Mills and Kenneth Rintala. Also, her ex- husband George Sutinen.
She is survived by sister Juanita (Leonard) Heikkinen of Anaconda, Montana; Children: Michael Sutinen of Lake Linden, Michelle Sutinen of Calumet, Marianne Coon (Ed) of Atlantic Mine, Martin (Karen) Sutinen of Dollar Bay. 10 grandchildren, 14 Great grandchildren, and one Great, great grandson on the way, due in August, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Canal View-Houghton County and Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital for the wonderful care they provided for our Mother these last four years.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials and donations may be sent to the Copper Country Humane Society. Mailing Address: PO Box 453 Houghton, MI 49931
Private family services will take place at a future date.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements
