Obituary: Samantha Tolonen

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:

Samantha Rae Tolonen “Maanidoonsikwe”, age 25 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, October 7th, 2021in Romulus, MI.

She was born August 21, 1996 in Hancock, MI daughter of Raeanne Gauthier and Glenn Tolonen Sr. Samantha attended grade school at L’Anse Area Schools and then went to North Dickinson High School where she participated in basketball, track, volleyball, and played softball. She loved her father’s smoked fish. She was a member of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and in 2012 she was named Miss KBIC. Her daughter Izzabella was her whole life; she loved her more then anything. Samantha’s grandmother, Myrtle Tolonen, was the 1st Tribal chairwoman of the KBIC and Samantha really looked up to her a lot.

Surviving are her mother Raeanne (Matt Friisvall) Gauthier of L’Anse; father Glenn (Tarra Simmons) Tolonen Sr of L’Anse; daughter Izzabella Rayne Gauthier of L’Anse; siblings, Raymond Tolonen of L’Anse, Sonny Tolonen of L’Anse, Bryce Friisvall of Muskegon; Macee Tolonen of L’Anse, Iziah Friisvall of L’Anse; grandparents, Kim Gauthier of L’Anse, Dianne Waara of Baraga, Dale (Tardy) Friisvall of L’Anse; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceding her in death are her grandparents, Raymond Gauthier, Donald and Myrtle Tolonen.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 13th from 2-4:00 p.m. at the KBIC Zeba Hall. A traditional funeral service will be at 4:00 p.m., led by Paul Halverson along with drumming. A feast will follow at the Zeba hall. Burial will be at a later date in the Pinery Cemetery. Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friends may sign Samantha’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com