As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Joanne Eunice (Kaarlela) Palonen, 89, passed away with family by her side on June 22, 2025. Born to the late Henry and Lydia Kaarlela on August 17, 1935 at her family home south of Calumet, Michigan under the care of a midwife. Joanne was married to Rudolf Elmer Palonen on June 6, 1953, in South Range Michigan. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.
After marrying, Rudy and Joanne moved from the copper country to Illinois, Wisconsin, and eventually back to Michigan where they started their family after Rudy returned home from the Korean Conflict. There they began their family and their journey as a married couple raising 5 children in Battle Creek Michigan before retiring in 1980. After retirement Rudy and Joanne moved back to the Copper Country near Dollar Bay Michigan and built a home on the family property on Portage Lake.
Joanne loved to play music; she self-taught the kantele and was renowned in the area for her talent playing the accordion. She volunteered time playing for the elderly at retirement homes and was even spotlighted on “Finland Calling” a local Finnish television show in Upper Michigan. She loved her Finnish heritage, promoted Finnish culture at every opportunity and was fluent in the Finnish language.
Joanne is survived by her loving husband Rudy; children, Jerry (Pam) Palonen, Cindy (Jim) Monaweck, Leeland (Debbie) Palonen, Stuart (Mary Ann) Palonen, and Raymond (Heather) Palonen; grandchildren, Tina, Audra, Aaron, Eric, Nick, Kristen, Katie, and Matthew, step grandchildren, Steven, Miranda, Alexandrya, Samantha, and 20 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Willard Kaarlela, Gordon Kaarlela, William Kaarlela, Robert Kaarlela, and Irving Kaarlela, sisters; Edith Helman, Elain Kangas, Lorane Blair, Bernice Cota, and Kathy Ponnikas.
A private celebration of life will be held by the immediate family. In lieu of condolences, please donate to a musical program of your choice in Joanne’s honor.
To view Joanne’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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