Obituary: Glenda Ann Hiltunen

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home: 

Glenda Ann Hiltunen age 83 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Bayside Village in L’Anse, MI. She was born October 24, 1936 in Detroit, MI daughter to Thomas and Alice (Dillon) Werner.

Glenda graduated in 1954 from McKenzie High School in Detroit. She had 4 children (Cherri, Doug, Joan, and Nancy) from a previous marriage. In 1973 Glenda married Alden Hiltunen and raised their combined 7 children together as one family. While living in Garden City, Glenda was a member of Good Hope Lutheran Church and the Jaycette’s. She worked in retail and for L & L Cartage in the office. In 1980 they moved to Aura, and she worked in L’Anse at Fraki’s as a manager, retiring in 2004. Glenda was an Aura community supporter and proud of her local involvement. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Aura Fire Hall Auxiliary, Aura Hospital Auxiliary, 30 years active and President of Aura Community Hall Association. Glenda enjoyed watching a few of grandchildren grow up in the community she loved and proudly wore her favorite color (purple) while cheering on their sporting events. Glenda enjoyed crocheting, gardening both flowers and plants, feeding her birds (especially the cardinals), and was very deep in faith. In her younger days Glenda loved to dance with her husband Alden. They also looked forward to their yearly trip to Minot, ND where they sold their handmade Finnish crafts. Glenda was proud to achieve level 83 and did not let her age stop her from using technology. She loved keeping up with her friends and family on Facebook and loved to Facetime. Glenda enjoyed watching & listening to “her boys” (The Tigers) every season (the good and the bad) and would not miss an episode of Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck. Glenda’s family enjoyed their visits as they knew they would be spoiled by her baking and cooking. All looked forward to her homemade jams. Glenda and Alden’s home was always open for coffee, card playing, family vacations, pizza on Friday and holidays.

Glenda is survived by her 7 children, Cherri (Mark) Helsel of Pinckney, MI, Gene (Denise)Hiltunen of Belleville, MI, Scott (Sherry) Hiltunen of Howell, MI, Doug (Penni) Peavey of Pinckney, MI, Joan Kirkland of Pinckney, MI, Mark (Wendy) Hiltunen of Aura, MI, Nancy (David) Haanpaa of Aura, MI; 18 grandchildren, Traci (Ken) Hamilton and their children Hannah & Kyle Hamilton, Tami (Matt) Heinonen and their children Nickolas & Nathan Moskal, Jukka Heinonen, Mark (Jenna) Helsel and their children Aidan & Abby Helsel, Calvin & Alyssa Hiltunen, Heather (Shane) Cunningham and their children Tucker & Rylee Cunningham, Amanda Peavey and her children Jada, Tessa Thomas, Stefanie (Sam) Machi, Alex Hiltunen, Samantha (Marquis) Hiltunen and their children Noah, Zeke, Lilah Woodbury, Allison & Hunter Domen, Jenna & Dana Hiltunen, Brian Majeski, Kenny (Kylee) Majeski and their child Thea Majeski, Jake Haanpaa; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding her in death are her parents Thomas and Alice; husband Alden Hiltunen; grandson Alex Rowland; siblings, Thomas, Merrill, Charlie, and Rosie Werner

A visitation and memorial service will be held in the spring. Burial will be in the Aura Cemetery.

The Jacobson Funeral Home handling the arrangements.

Friends may sign Glenda’s guest book or send condolences at