Anita Karen (Harju) Clawson, age 63, went to be with her beloved Savior on Monday, October 26, 2015 at her home in Calumet where she lived with her husband. She was born on March 23, 1952, in Hancock to Donald and Gertrude Harju and grew up in Mass City, MI. Anita graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1970 and went on to graduate from Northern Michigan University with a degree in dietetics. She met her husband, Michael Clawson, at NMU, and they were married on August 10, 1974. They lived in the Detroit area where she worked in several hospitals as a dietitian. In 1981, they moved back to the Copper Country. Anita stayed at home with her three daughters for seven years before returning to work as a dietitian at UP Health Systems Portage and Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.
While she was a quiet person, she had a close relationship with God and a deep love for those who were often over looked. She volunteered faithfully at First Baptist Church, Life Outreach Center, and Gitche Gumee Bible Camp. Her family, friends, and the patients for whom she cared felt Anita’s compassionate spirit. She remained joyful and continued doing activities she loved with her devoted husband, during her eight years with Alzheimer’s disease. We will miss you dearly, but your faith in Jesus and your compassion for others will live in our hearts forever.
Anita was preceded in death by her father, Donald Harju, and mother, Gertrude Harju. She is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters, Elizabeth Ann of Breckrenridge, CO, Kathleen Amy (Greg) Strzyzykowski of Cincinnati, OH, and Melissa Sue (Andy) Martin of Carmel, NY; her grandchildren, James Michael Strzyzykowski (5 months) and Cora Elise Martin (anticipated arrival, December 2015); and her siblings, Ann (Rod) Rodgers, Don (Marilyn) Harju, Pauline (Rich) Olshefski, and Cindy (Al) Niemi. The visitation will begin at 10:00am on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Calumet and the memorial service will follow at 11:00am with Tony Laidlaw officiating; a light lunch will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Life Outreach Center, 222 Shelden Ave, Suite 1, Houghton.
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