Obituary: Catherine Ohtonen

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

    Catherine (Henry) Ohtonen, 78, a resident of Chassell passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the UP-Health Systems- Portage Hospital with her family by her side following a lengthy illness.
     She was born on January 9, 1945, in Hancock, MI, a daughter of the late Richard and Martha (Ylitalo) Hongisto.  Catherine was raised on Pilgrim River Hill and was a graduate of the Houghton Schools.
     On January 14, 1961, she was united in marriage to Henry Ohtonen.  The couple resided in Chassell, where they raised their family.  After the children had grown, Cathy began a career at D&N Bank in Hancock, retiring from the loan servicing department after 27 years. Cathy and Henry have also owned and operated the Ohtonen Strawberry Farm in Chassell for over 50 years.
    Cathy was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, working in her flower gardens, and playing games during family gatherings.
     Preceding her in death were her son Charles Ohtonen, her parents Richard and Martha Hongisto, her brothers Daniel Hongisto and David Hongisto, her sister June Lawrence, her nephew Kevin Kangas, her niece Marlene Beaudoin, and her in-laws Henry and Fern Ohtonen.
     Surviving are:
            Her husband: Henry Ohtonen of Chassell
            Her children: Thomas (Cheryl Ruohonen) Ohtonen of Chassell
                                    Deborah (James) Sheldon of Skanee
                                    Sandra (Dan) Kemppainen of Hancock
            Her daughter-in-law: Suzanne Ohtonen of Negaunee
            Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

Jessica (Micah) Haapala, Caden, Brooke, and Bryce;
Shannon Ohtonen, Blake, Shaylynn, and Peyton;
Cassandra (Jason) Ross, Riley and Grayson;
Tara (Derrick Butkovich) Lassila;
Tyler Lassila
Charles Kemppainen;
Joshua Kemppainen, and
Mitchell (Madison) Kemppainen

            Her siblings:
                        Delores (Chris) Kangas of Hancock
                        Gail (Lawrence) Beaudoin of Lake Linden
                        Robert (Vanessa) Hongisto of Tucson, AZ
                        George (Joy) Hongisto of New Castle, CA
Her sisters-in-law
Ruth Hester of Redmond, WA
Elizabeth (Tom) Bahti of Sobieski, WI
Marilyn (Mike) Cunningham of Alexandria, MN

            She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.    

     A memorial service for Catherine will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell with Rev. Soren Schmidt to officiate.  Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery.
     Friends may call on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 1 p.m. until the time of services at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell.
    In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell in Catherine’s name.
     To view Catherine’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
     The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.