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As received from Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service:
Dolores B. Paavola, 89, a resident of Houghton and former resident of Onkalo’s Corner Road passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at UP Health System-Marquette, following a short illness.
She was born on December 9, 1932, in Trimountain, MI, a daughter of the late William and Helen (Haivala) Onkalo. Dolores was raised near the Onkalo’s Corner/ Pilgrim River area and attended the Suo District School, Isle Royale School and graduated from Houghton High School.
On February 26, 1949, she was united in marriage to Robert Paavola. The couple resided in the Detroit area and Trimountain for a brief time before moving to make their home near Pilgrim River, Onkalo’s Corner Road. On March 22, 2013, Robert preceded Dolores in death.
Mrs. Paavola was a lifelong active member of Grace Lutheran Church of South Range. She was a member of the choir for over 50 years, was active with the church council and Lutheran Church Women.
Dolores enjoyed working with her flower gardens, music, singing, the Finnish culture and language. She enjoyed being fluent in speaking Finnish and helping teach the language to others. She also looked forward to providing holiday meals for her family. Her shoebox-sized pasties, homemade bread and nisu will always be remembered. Dolores adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured their visits. Nothing made her smile more than retelling the latest funny story about her grandkids.
Preceding her in death were her husband Robert “Bobbu”, her grandson: Erik; her parents; her siblings; Barney, Jack, Kenneth, Betty, Marie and Philip Onkalo. She was saddened and honored Philip’s sacrifice as one of the first area boys killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.
Surviving are:
Her children: Robert “Butch” (Debbie) Paavola of Baltic
Edward (Debbie) Paavola of Baltic
Jayne (Terry) Paavola-Neault of Swedetown Location
Paul (Debbie) Paavola of Houghton
Julie (John) Paavola-Shulstad of Green Bay, WI
Her grandchildren: Avery (Jen), Amber (Kevin), Kiel (Desiree), Daniel (Emily), Joe (Tasha) Phillip, Natalie and Dylan
8 great-grandchildren
Her sister: Susan Koskela of Atlantic Mine
Her sister-in-law: Helen Paavola-Snell of Petoskey, MI
Numerous nieces,, nephews and cousins
Funeral services for Dolores will be held 12:00 noon Monday, May 23, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church of South Range, with Rev. Micah Cavaleri to officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.
Friends may call on Monday May 23, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church of South Range from 10 am until time of services.
To view Dolores’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
Dolores’s family would like to thank her wonderful family at Grace Lutheran Church (Pastor Micah, Katie, Jeanine, Carolyn, Sharon, Chris and Emily). The many friends she made at Arbor Green – especially Rosanne, Earl and Cheryl, and Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. The joy and cheer you brought to her life with visits, chats on the phone, and the many gifts and treats won’t be forgotten. Also much thanks and appreciation to the caregivers at Portage Pointe and UP Health System, Houghton & Marquette during her stay. May her memory be a blessing to all that knew and loved her.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.
