Obituary: Annette Walitalo McMahon Mervar

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:

Annette Walitalo McMahon Mervar, age 80 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, WI with her family at her side.

She was born November 12, 1940 in L’Anse, MI daughter of Theodore and Hulda (Kontio) Walitalo. Annette graduated from L’Anse Area Schools in 1959. SHe married her first love James C. McMahon on August 21, 1959 and he passed away in 1981. together they had 6 children, James D., Carilyn, Dianne, Amy, Gerald “Jay” and April. Later she married her second love Frank R. Mervar on June 25, 1983. He passed away in 1988.

Annette enjoyed having holiday meals with guests invited. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren sporting events and putting together a scrapbook covering their events and books of other items. SHe also enjoyed dancing, helping with the Herman Hall Rummage Sales and the Hunter’s Stew.

She was a member of the United Lutheran Church, AMerican Legion Auxiliary #444, The Herman Historical Society, Baragaland Senior Center, and LaBara Babes Red Hatters. Annette worked at various retail stores including Wilkinson’s General Store and Ace Hardware.

Preceding her were her parents; husbands, James and Frank; son James; brother Theodore Walitalo; sisters Dorothy Ward and Carol Young; step children Frank Jr, Karl and Kurt Mervar; great granddaughter Brantley Aten; niece Linda Bannister; and nephew Darrin Young.

Surviving are her children, Carilyn McMahon of Baraga, Dianne Gallagher of L’Anse, Amy (James) Stein of L’Anse, Gerald “Jay” (Dianne) McMahon of Baraga, April (Mike Bianco) of L’Anse; daughter-in-law Mary Ann McMahon of Galesburg, MI; grandchildren, Lucas Martin, Amanda (Ravi Patankar) McMahon, Erin (Tim King) McMahon, Adam Dakota, Richard Gallagher, Kyle (Samantha Bishop) Aten, Cameron (Jessica Whitty) Aten, Andrea (Jeff Huerd) McMahon, Cristopher Stein, Joshua Stein, Trevor Uren, James Stein, Lindsay Laramore, Kyle Stein, Mitch Bolo, Zach Gougeon, Ariel Gougeon & families; great grandchildren, Damien, Kalel, Viveka, Rohan, Landen, Waylon, Lydia; several nieces, nephews, cousins; step daughter Kristine (Rod) Piper; step son Kevin (Mary) Mervar; step daughter-in-law Jane Mervar; step grandchildren, Janine Edelen & Greg Bennett, Karisa, Erica, Jacey Mukka, Isiah and Josephine Mervar, Jamie Howes; brother-in-law Roland Young of Marquette; sister-in-law Helen Grondin of AZ; special cousin Bernice Haapala; and best friend Dorothy Mayo.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 9th from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church. Her funeral service will be at 5:30 p.m. with Rev. John Ansel Officiating. Burial will be in the Herman Cemetery. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends may sign Annette’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com