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As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel:
Evelyn Marie Kathryn (Maki) Turunen, 90, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024. She was born in Pelkie, MI on November 10, 1933 to Jacob and Susanna (Bergman) Maki and was a lifetime resident until moving to Houghton in 2021. She attended the Laird schools before graduating from Baraga High in 1952. She was united in marriage to Rueben Turunen on June 28, 1952. He preceded her in death in May 2020. They raised a family on a dairy farm and were pillars of the community providing jobs and a sometimes a home to several youth over the years.
Evelyn was a 4-H leader and a proud Pelkie Hockey Association mom. She taught arts and crafts to area youth. Besides art, she was an accomplished seamstress and baker, known especially for her bread and Nisu. She was a member of the former Faith Lutheran Church of Pelkie and was instrumental in the merging of the parishes which became Mission United Lutheran, overseeing the building process and serving on the Church Council and Altar Guild.
She is survived by children Roger (Brenda) Turunen of Baraga, Patricia (Anthony) Stark of Pelkie, Anita Chambers (Steven Pagels) of Auburn, CA, Dr. Barbara Turunen of El Sobrante Hills, CA, Dr. Denise Turunen of Irving, TX, Peter Turunen of Pelkie, Dr. Christine (Dr. Olaf) Nordling of Lakeside, MT, Dr. Daniel (Jean) of Antigo, WI; grandchildren Jason Turunen, Dr. Brandon Turunen and Kendra Ash, Dr. Owen, Anthony, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. Joel Stark, Justin and Jessica Chambers, Megan Waters and Joshua Turunen, Michael and Rian Turunen, Jamie Featherston, Dr. Anya Jones, and Zoe Nordling, Andrew and Alicia Turunen; great grandchildren Payton, Carter and Lindsey Turunen, Taavo Stark, William, Madeleine, and Evelyn Stark, Hilja and Toivo Stark, Reuben and Otto Stark, Silas, Iyla and Eliza Waters and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rueben, infant daughter, son Jack Turunen, son-in-law Gary Chambers, great grandson Eero Stark, brothers Raymond, Eugene, Edwin, Evert, and Paul Maki, sisters Hilda Modig and Ellen Freitag.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, July 12th, 2024 at Mission United Lutheran Church, Pelkie with Pastor Kelly Ylitalo officiating. The family will greet friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Immediately following the services, interment will take place in the Pelkie Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the interment.
Evelyn’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
