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As received from the Pearce Funeral Home:
Elaine P. “Penny” Wiita, age 90, of Bootjack, passed away on March 3, 2021, at the GreenTree of Hubbell Rehab and Health, where she had been a resident patient for the past 6 years.
She was born on July 27, 1930, in Lake Linden, a daughter of Edward and Noemi (Rock) Pflugi. She was raised in Lake Linden and Rochester, Michigan. She was a graduate of Rochester High School in the class of 1948.
She was united in marriage on January 16, 1960, to William Edward Wiita. The couple resided in Royal Oak, Rochester, and upon William’s retirement in 1992, their home in Bootjack. He passed away on April 16, 2014.
Elaine was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden and the Bootjack Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.
Enjoying a strong sense of community, and of a very social nature, Elaine enjoyed and was often instrumental in organizing neighborhood parties and informal get-togethers. She liked the social aspects of bowling, Card Night (pinochle), trips to Copper Harbor, and anything to do with Yahtzee. Ever the teacher, she taught Catholic education at St. Andrews Parish in Rochester, and small group painting classes out of her home for many years. After returning to the Copper Country in 1992, she took great pleasure in crafting a warm, loving retirement home for her family on the shore of Portage Lake.
She is survived by her two children: son Christopher of Anchorage, Alaska and daughter Rebecca of Rochester, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by a sister-Marie Elizabeth Pflugi.
The family would like to express their most sincere, heart-felt gratitude to the entire staff of GreenTree of Hubbell Rehab and Health, for the kindness, compassion, and loving care they showed Elaine during her 6 years as a resident patient there. The willingness shown to work within the current visitation restrictions to allow us to remain close and connected to our mother was truly inspirational, and will not be forgotten.
Additionally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. David Woltmann, and the medical staff at Portage Health Dialysis Center, whose competent, life-giving care allowed Elaine and her family to enjoy 6 additional years on this earth.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden with Father Joseph Boakye Yiadom to officiate. There will be no public visitation. The graveside service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday July 9, 2021 at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lake Linden with Father Joseph Boakye Yiadom to officiate. The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to The UP Health System – Portage Dialysis Center. Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com
