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As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:
Doris Kathleen Dakota (Heikkinen), age 79, of Baraga passed away surrounded by loved ones on June 1st, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was a long term resident at Bayside Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in L’Anse, Michigan, where she was cared for with kindness and compassion.
Doris was born in Trimountain, Michigan on April 19th, 1944 to the late Martha Helen (Johnson) and Armas Leopold Heikkinen. She graduated in 1962 from Jeffers High School. In 1962 she married Norman Eugene Haataja Sr. They were blessed with five children; Pamela Marie Haataja, Lisa Ann Haataja, Mary Ellen (Haataja) McRae (spouse Kevin), Nora Jean (Haataja) Korkko (spouse Mark), and Norman Eugene Haataja Jr. (spouse Maria).
Doris also served as guardian to her beloved brother, Roy Allen Heikkinen, who resided with the family for many years.
When Doris’ children were young, she worked as an accordionist with a group of local musicians. She performed in many community events, such as weddings, holiday parties, and family reunions. She taught her children Finnish dances, and they enjoyed dancing for guests while she played happy melodies. Doris was also a self-taught pianist and continued to play well after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In addition to being a musician, she attended Northern Michigan University where she obtained certification in American Sign Language. Doris worked for the Copper Country Intermediate School District as an Aide and Bus Driver and later worked for Baraga Area Schools as an interpreter for the deaf.
In later years she married Frederick Dakota of Baraga, and they shared many happy years together traveling, boating, fishing, starting and running businesses, fixing up properties, hosting and attending many social events, and especially enjoying time with family and friends. She enjoyed her “snowbird” years spending time with Fred at her winter home in Florida.
Throughout her illness, Fred was entirely devoted to Doris’ care. Often accompanied by Doris’ daughter, Lisa, to whom Doris had a particularly close relationship, they would take long, SLOW, rides to their favorite local places.
Doris had a close and loving relationship with all of her grandchildren; Ryan and Victoria Nikonchuk; Laura Lee Tahtinen; John, Erika, Maya, and Emma McRae; Kaitlin, Zachary, and Aili Korkko; Stephanie (Fraki) Sterbenz (spouse Jordan), Colton, Ty, and Beaudan Haataja. She was blessed to have met her first great-grandchild, Parker Jayne Sterbenz. She also spoke fondly of and enjoyed spending time Fred Dakota’s extended family and grandchildren.
Doris also loved and enjoyed visiting with her many nieces and nephews. She had compassion for all people, especially children and the disabled. She enjoyed getting to know the many students and school staff she worked with over the years and developed relationships with many of their families. She served for many years on the CCISD Parent Advisory Committee, including as president, where she tirelessly advocated for the establishment and improvement of programs for disabled children and adults. Doris was warm, kind, hardworking, and generous and never turned her back on someone in need. She will be greatly missed by many.
Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frederick Dakota; her brothers, Melvin Heikkinen and Roy Allen Heikkinen, and her sister Diane (Heikkinen) Virenius.
She is survived by her brothers Thomas (and Patty) Heikkinen and family, Gerald (and Denise) Heikkinen and family, Kathy (Puska) (wife of Melvin) and family, Alden Virenius (Husband of Diane) and family, and many cousins and extended family.
Funeral services will be held at 11am Tuesday, June 6, 2023, with visitation for 10am until 11am at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home – Mt. View Chapel, 14 7th St., South Range, MI, followed by a burial ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery in South Range. Afterwards, a luncheon will be served at Grace Lutheran Church in South Range.
To forward research in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) in lieu of gifts.
To view this obituary or to send online condolences, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.
