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Anna Mae (Kemppa) Miettinen, 85, passed away on June 17, 2018, at Gardenview Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility, Calumet, MI, where she was a resident for the past 7 ½ years. Anna Mae was born on October 28, 1932, in Toivola, Michigan, and was the oldest child of Rudolph & Lydia (Mikkola) Kemppa.
She was baptized on June 12, 1933, and confirmed at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Hancock in 1947. She graduated from Hancock High School, Class of 1951, and had her own Finnish radio program on WHDF. She also worked at the Orpheum Theater and was a house keeper for Hancock’s fifth grade teacher.
She married Raymond August Miettinen on June 9, 1951. Together they worked on their dairy farm in Chasssell until moving to Republic in 1967. While on the farm Mom’s work was never done: from raising children, milking cows, cleaning, cooking, haymaking & bookkeeping for Dad’s door-to-door milk route. Mom said moving to Republic was the best move they ever made. While living in Republic she was able to enjoy life more. She enjoyed her many hobbies of making crafts, knitting, crocheting, quilting, ceramics, needlepoint, sewing, macrame, latchook & bargello. She also enjoyed traveling on bus tours, shopping, playing games with her children & listening to music. She delivered meals on wheels, was a girl scout leader and an active member of PEP in Republic. She was recognized as Marquette County “Volunteer of the Year” in 1999-2000 & honored by the Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Republic.
Anna Mae was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic, and attended Faith Lutheran Church in Calumet, while living in the Copper Country. At Bethany, Anna Mae was a dedicated quilter, served on the church council, sang with the choir, and wrote out birthday & anniversary cards for her church. She loved doing bookwork and helping others.
She moved back to the Copper Country in 2010 & then to Gardenview in Calumet.
She will truly be missed by family & friends!
Surviving are:
Children: Karen (Joe) Felton of Racine, WI; Christine (Terry) Evans of Lake Linden, MI; Keith of Milan, MI; Glenn (Pam) of Sellersburg, Indiana; Connie (Mark) Spanton of Republic, MI; Kevin of Livonia, MI
Two Sisters: Alice Kemppa of Hubbell, MI; Betty Lindgren of Bay City, MI
Sister-in-law: Lillian Ollila of Cincinnati, Ohio
Daughter-in-law: Penny Miettinen of Republic, MI
12 Grandchildren: Carla Streeter, Christopher & Kaitlin Felton, Jason Evans, Alana Nolan, Diana Olkowski, Ryan, Raymond, Creg & Brandon Miettinen, Michael & John Spanton; plus step-grandchildren
20 Great-Grandchildren
3 Great-great Grandchildren
Several nieces & nephews
Proceeded her in death are:
Parents: Rudolph & Lydia Kemppa
Husband: Raymond Miettinen
Youngest Son: David Miettinen
Grandson: Colan Miettinen
Brothers: Arnold & Kenneth Kemppa
Daughter-in-law: Donna Miettinen
Father & Mother-in-law: John & Ida Miettinen
A funeral service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 26016 Depot Street, Calumet, Saturday, June 23, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Katherine Finegan to officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Republic Cemetery on Monday, June 25, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Kaiser officiating, from Bethany Lutheran Church, Republic.
A special thanks to staff at Gardenview for their loving care over the last 7 1/2 years, to the Aspirus Keweenaw Hospice Team for over 2 years, Dr. Bonnie Hafeman and to all who visited her & said prayers for Anna Mae.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
