Barbara Maria Niemi, 87, a resident of Osceola Street in Laurium passed away on Monday August 18, 2014 at the Omega House in Houghton.

She was born on September 8, 1926 in Iron Mountain MI, daughter of James & Perina (Fiera) Rovano.

She Graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1944.

Married Frederick J Niemi on September 7, 1946 at Sacred Heart Church in Calumet.

After marriage they lived in Laurium, Eagle River and Mohawk and in 1997 moved back to Laurium.

She was Township Clerk in both Houghton & Allouez Townships, Keweenaw County for several years. Was a member of the Women’s Roundtable of Keweenaw, Daughters of Italy, National Catholic Society of Foresters, Sandstone Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Sand Pebbles Mini Group Quilters.

She was preceded in death by husband of 65 blessed years, Fred Niemi, her parents, sister Theresa (Edmund) Remillard and brother Dominic (Veronica) Rovano.

Survived by:

Three daughters- Barbara Ann (Steve) Vichich of Laurium, Janine (Arthur) Barrett of Baraga and Diane (Harold) Nakkula of Calumet.

4 grandsons- David (Brenda) Sandera and Kevin (Stephanie) Sandera of Houghton Lake, Eric Barrett of Savannah, GA, Jeremy (Julie) Barrett of L’Anse.

3 granddaughters – Jessica Barrett of Hancock, Jennifer Nakkula of Huntington Beach, CA and Megan Nakkula of Milwaukee, WI.

8 great grandchildren – Abby, Timothy & Emily of Houghton Lake and Jerry, twins Kara & Kylie and twins Mason and McKenna of L’Anse.

2 nieces – Roni (John) Paarinello and Marie Remillard. Also her special God Child, Patti Ann Myntti (Russell) Kiviniemi of EauClaire WI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday August 21, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Sacred Heart Church in Calumet with Fr. Abraham Mupparathara to officiate.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home, and from 9:30-10:30 AM before Mass on Thursday at the funeral home. A prayer service will be held at 7:45 pm on Wednesday August 20, 2014 at the funeral home.

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.

The family wishes to thank all the Doctors and nurses, especially Aspirus Keweenaw Home Health and Hospice and The Omega House for their tender loving care during Barb’s illness.