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.
Sharon Gail Stipech (Aho), 81, passed away peacefully at her home in Chassell on September 3, 2026.
Sharon was born in L’Anse on December 10, 1944, to Edward Aho and Aune Aho (Turpeinen). She grew up on her parents’ dairy farm in Baraga with her older sister Sandra and younger brother Dale. She begged her mother to let her go to kindergarten a year early. The girls spoke Finnish at home before attending school. Her family’s farms in Baraga and Pelkie were prominent in her childhood. There were many memories of swimming in the Otter River and places like Big Lake. Hunting and Fishing were a big part of her family’s life through her father.
She attended Baraga schools and graduated in 1962. She then attended NMU, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Social Work.
She worked various jobs in her life, most recently as a social worker at Portage Point in Hancock.
When Sharon was 15, she met her husband-to-be, Frank, at a dance in the dance hall above the Sentinel Newspaper building in L’Anse. They were married on August 3rd, 1968, in Baraga. They were married shortly after Frank enlisted in the Army. During their first three years together, Frank was gone training and then serving in Vietnam. Sharon was steadfast and strong during this time and the difficult years that followed Frank’s return from the war. Together they lived in several places around the country while Frank served in the United States Army. Frank left the Army just before Micah was born. There was a difficult recession in the country, making it tough to provide for their young family. Through Sharon’s support, they made it through. They returned to the Copper Country in 1973. In 1978, they moved into their house on Broemer Road, where they raised their sons Micah and Nicholas.
Sharon is survived by her husband Frank, her sons Micah (Kendra) of Hancock, Nick of Chassell, and granddaughter Aune. She is also survived by her sister, Sandra (Michael) Faucher, of Baraga, and Her Brother, Dale (Evelyn) Aho, of Marquette.
Sharon was an incredible, loving, committed, and supportive wife and mother. Through good times and bad, she never gave up on Frank or the boys.
Sharon loved warm weather. She would open the windows and declare it was a beach day. She enjoyed many summer days at Sunshine Beach with her children and cousins.
She enjoyed gardening and tending to her wonderful flower beds. She enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and walks.
She was an avid reader. She could often be found reading a book in the woods while walking the dog or by a river, waiting for her son while he fished.
Sharon was a cheerleader in high school and college.
She was interested in fashion and loved to shop.
Sharon loved watching her children’s sporting events, whether playing or coaching. She could often be found behind the bleachers during close games because she “couldn’t watch.”
Sharon also had a knack for setting the boys and Frank straight when they needed it.
She loved visiting with friends and family.
She enjoyed eating out and would inevitably wish she had ordered what someone else got.
Many friends remember her love for drinking Tab cola, making strawberry jam, pasty pie, and her famous chocolate chip cookies.
In the past year, she took great pleasure in visiting with and sharing pictures of her granddaughter, Aune
She was an active member of St. Ignatius Church, where she often cooked for events.
Her warmth, smile, creativity, strong-willed nature, and ability to make people laugh will always be remembered.
The family would like to thank the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department and local first responders for their kindness.
The family asks that any donations be made to Simple Kindness for Youth.
Visitation for Sharon will be held at St. Ignatius church in Houghton on Tuesday, September 8th, from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 12 pm. She will be buried in the Baraga Cemetery at a later date.
To view Sharon’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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