Obituary: June M. Kauppi

As received from Memorial Chapel:

Hancock

June M. Kauppi, 94, a former resident of Hancock and the Arbor Green Senior Living Community passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at the Pewabic House of Portage Pointe in Hancock where she had been a resident patient since this past June.

She was born on June 1, 1927, at the family farm on the Hancock Canal a daughter of the late Charles and Amanda (Kinnunen) Styrk. June was raised on the Hancock Canal and attended the Canal School before attending the Salo School. She then had to stay home to help work on the family farm. June was proud to have been able to return to school to receive her GED in 1978.

On October 23, 1948, June was united in marriage to Rudolph Kauppi. The couple resided on the Hancock Canal until 1990 when they moved to make their home in Hancock. On April 15, 1992, Rudy preceded June in death.

Mrs. Kauppi had worked as a Nurse’s Aide at St. Joseph’s Hospital on the 3rd floor retiring after 26 years of service.

June was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for over 65 years helping with the Altar Guild, Social Ministry, Soumi Kerho, funeral lunches, helping with the yearly strawberry social of the church, and the quilting group. June was more of a homebody but had many talents and enjoyed being independent. On any given day she could be working on her flower gardens or a knitting project or cutting the grass with her riding mower to changing the oil on her mower. June was able to enjoy a few traveling adventures with family such as going to Florida by bus and to Arizona. In 1975, June & Rudy along with their niece Jean visited relatives in Finland for the month of July.

Preceding her in death were her husband; Rudy, her parents, and 5 sisters: Esther in infancy, Ann Honkanen, Eleanore Tarak, Gertrude Smith & Agnes Niileksela..

Surviving her locally are her nephew Robert (Carol) Niileksela of Hancock Canal

Her niece: Jean (Eric) Phytila of the Hancock Canal

Her great-niece and nephews: Jenny (Tim) Bausam, Michael (Jennifer) Niileksela, Christopher (Sarah) Niileksela, & Kelly (Zoe) Niileksela.

Her great-great nieces & nephews: Amy Niileksela, Abby Bausano, Emma Bausano, Jacob, Niileksela, Wesley Niileksela, Shane Niileksela, Leland Niileksela & Ash Niileksela.

Along with numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private funeral service for June will be held at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock Rev. Brahm Semmler-Smith to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock or the Omega House of Houghton in memory of June Kauppi

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

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.