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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Albert E. Hongisto, 82, a resident of Chassell, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at UP Health System- Portage in Hancock following a short illness.
He was born on September 6, 1939, on the family farm. Albert attended the Houghton Schools and was a graduate of the South Field High School with the class of 1958.
On April 29, 1961, Mr. Hongisto was united in marriage to the former Betty Lou Klus. The couple resided Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Arizona before settling in the Detroit area for 30 years to raise their family. During that time Albert had worked as a truck driver for Lear. For the past 24 years, Mr. Hongisto has made his home on the family farm in Chassell. On July 20, 2019, Betty Lou preceded Albert in death. On January 17, 2020, Albert was united in marriage to the former Joyce Kumpula/Honga and the couple made their home on the family farm in Chassell.
Mr. Hongisto was a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Pelkie and enjoyed talking about cars at any time he could.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife Betty Lou and his sisters: Aileen Hongisto and Annette Sleeman.
Surviving are:
His wife: Joyce Hongisto of Chassell
His children: Renee (Dick) Fowler of Chassell
-Rebecca “Becky” (Mike) Huhta of Wadena, MN
-Rachel (Ryan) Olechnowicz of Howell, MI
-Rhyan (Dana) Hongisto of Belleville, WI
-Rodger (Amanda) Hongisto of Augustine, FL
20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren
19 stepchildren and their families
His brother: Don (Gladys) Lahti of Brainerd, MN
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
A funeral service for Albert will be held 11 am Sunday, December 19, 2021, at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Pelkie with Pastor James Frantti to officiate. Spring burial will be held 2 pm Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.
Friends may call on Saturday, December 18, 2021, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock and on Sunday, December 19 from 10 am until time of services at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Pelike.
To view Albert’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
