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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
Harold Robert Bekkala, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Laurium, Michigan on Sunday, November 13th, 2022.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 29, 1937, son of Sigurd and Elvira (Juntunen) Bekkala.
He attended Detroit schools. Upon completion of his schooling, he worked at Chrysler Auto Company.
In 1959, he moved to the Copper Country. He worked locally for Calumet & Hecla Copper Mining Company, Copper Range Company, and Northern Industrials.
He served in the Army Reserves during the early 1960s.
On May 4, 1968, he married Pearl Suomala in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He lived most of his life in the Copper Country where he raised his family. He owned and operated a wood shop, Bek Woodcraft, in Laurium for several years.
He was a HAM radio operator, N8IMU, and enjoyed speaking with local and worldwide operators.
He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Harold had an interest in history especially local history.
In his retirement years, Harold worked at his hobby farm.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Jean, and Lucille.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pearl; his children: Philip (Michelle) of Norway, Michigan and grandkids Amanda, Ben, and Rose; Michael of Laurium, Michigan; Lisa (Richard) Uren of Negaunee, Michigan
and grandkids Joe, Anna (Dirk) Ruff, and Ella; Beth (Drew) Crotts of Prescott, Arizona and grandkids Megan, Allie, Ryan, and Kate; Julie (David) Chowdary of Clemmons, North Carolina, and grandkids Sophia and Jacob.
Harold was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet, Michigan.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the First Apostolic Church in Calumet with Pastor Mark Halonen to officiate.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am at the First Apostolic Church on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery.
Online condolences can be left for the family at ericksoncrowleypeterson,com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
