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Verna E. Helminen Daavettila, age 85, passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Omega House in Houghton. She was most recently a resident of Laurium and Gardenview Assisted Living and Memory Care.
She was born on March 20, 1933 in Highway Location to Gust and Cecilia (Kaukinen) Peterson. She attended the local schools and graduated from Calumet High School.
On May 9, 1953 she married Edward R. Helminen in Calumet. He preceded her in death on February 10, 1982. Following his passing, she married Paul H. Daavettila on August 7, 1982 in Laurium. He preceded her in death on January 30, 2007.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Walter, Arnold, James, and George; stepson, Eric Daavettila; 16 brothers in law, 16 sisters in law, and five grandchildren.
She is survived by her children and stepchildren:
Davin (Brenda) Helminen
Gary (Cheryl) Helminen
Carol Helminen
Karl (Eva) Helminen
Sharon (John) Junttila
Brian (Margaret) Helminen
Michael (Christina) Helminen
Lynn (Larry) Sleeman
Janine (Erik) Kiilunen
John (Doris) Daavettila
Karen Daavettila
Robert (Lisa) Daavettila
James (Cindy) Daavettila
Carl (Denise) Daavettila
Judith (Mark) Storm
Neil (Christina) Daavettila
Alan (Beth) Daavettila
Jean Daavettila
Brian (Carol) Daavettila
Susan (Gordon) Heinonen
Bruce (Breita) Daavettila
Mary (Daniel) Eskola
David (Tara) Daavettila
Aaron (Molly) Daavettila;
173 grandchildren, and 164 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her in-laws, Marianne Peterson, Jannette Peterson, Diane Peterson, Thomas Heinonen, Helen Pietila, Donald Daavettila, Mary Jean Daavettila, Ruth Davison, Leonard Stang, and Susan (Paul) Wittenberg; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and Christian family in faith.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet with Pastor David Taivalkoski to officiate. Friends may call at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet on Monday, July 16, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am.
Burial will take place in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
