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As received from the Pearce Funeral Home:
Tapiola: Paul Emil Ranta was born to Emil and Vieno at St. Joseph Hospital in Hancock, MI on May 14, 1943. He was raised on a small farm in Tapiola, MI. After graduating from Doelle school, he moved to Detroit to find work in the Automotive industry. He married Karen June Wiitanen on December 14, 1963.
In 1969, after 6 years of living in the city and factory work, Paul moved his family back to the Upper Peninsula to be closer to family.
Paul and Karen raised their family in Tapiola, MI. He built his dream home in 1976, a beautiful, modified A-Frame in the woods. In addition to heating the home with firewood, Paul provided firewood for many other families in the area.
Paul worked as a logger and construction truck driver before retiring in 2003.
Paul enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, fixing automobiles and walking.
Paul and friends formed the Otter Lake Snowmobile Club that later, in 1978, developed into a new building, built by all 50 members and was called the Otter Lake Sportsman’s Club, and has grown to 350 members today.
Paul is survived by his wife Karen; 4 children – Debra (Ken) Marshall, Craig, Brian and Ann (Ray) Tuominen; 11 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren and his sister Shirley Yokie.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be shared online with the family at pearcefuneralhome.com
