Heaven gained another angel on Friday, April 14, 2017 as Mary L. Kotaniemi, age 86, of Kearsarge, left this earth to join her loved ones in heaven. She briefly resided at Houghton County Medical Care Facility.
Mary was the daughter of Joseph Klobuchar and Aleda Johnson. On July 3, 1951, she married Paul Kotaniemi and they set up their home and raised their family in the Traprock Valley and Kearsarge. When Paul passed away in 2006, they had been married for 55 years.
Mary attended nurses training in Sault Ste. Marie and worked as an LPN before she married and raised a family. Mary was an excellent cook and baker. She worked for several restaurants in the Copper Country where she was famous for her pasties and bakery delicacies. Mary enjoyed keeping an immaculate home, and later in life a few lucky families reaped that benefit when Mary became a housekeeper for them.
There was always room for one more at Ma’s table and friends of the family were often found there. Something was always cooking on the stove or baking in the oven, and those smells are some of the fondest family and friends memories. You left her table full and were sent home with more. Her ham dinners, custard and fruit pies, povatica, strudel and bread were legendary. Mary’s canning room was full of her canned tomatoes, chow-chow and green beans harvested from her own garden. Anyone visiting knew they were going to leave with something. She often sent one of the boys to a neighbor or friend with a goodie or two.
Mary enjoyed gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She was most proud when someone stopped by to admire the flowers she landscaped in her yard. She was a consummate treasure seeker at all the rummage sales, and often first in line. She loved to give away her “treasures” to family and friends. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing, and did both beautifully. There isn’t a family member who doesn’t have a lovingly crafted afghan or flannel blanket to remember her by. Mary was an avid hockey fan, and she was not quiet watching her own boys play or watching the Redwings on TV, always rooting for her favorite players.
Mary’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are by and far her shining achievement. She was exceptionally proud of each one of them and loved them fiercely. She will be sorely missed.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, son Steven Kotaniemi, and sisters Dorothy Utzman and Barbara White.
She is survived by sons Dan Kotaniemi, Joe (Donna) Kotaniemi, Jay Kotaniemi (Sandy Brewer), all of Kearsarge; daughter, Sue Kitti (Jim Rutkowski) of Marquette, and daughter-in-law Sue Kotaniemi of Marquette. By grandson, Joshua Kotaniemi of Marquette, granddaughters Jennifer (Chad) Cleary of Marquette, Kelly (Josh) Treganowan of Mohawk, Katy Kotaniemi (fiancé Andy Wanty) of Rhinelander, WI, and Karly Kotaniemi, of Hancock; great grandchildren Carter and Cully Cleary and Brady and Brett Treganowan, and very special friend Delores Lutz of Kearsarge.
The family would like to thank Dr. Tom Mcconnon and his staff for the excellent, compassionate care Mary received from them over many years. Thank you to Houghton County Medical Care Facility and Portage Home Health and Hospice for her most recent care. God Bless you all.
In lieu of flowers Mary’s wish would be that you plant a flower in your garden this spring that you can enjoy all summer.
Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Deacon Art Stancher to officiate.
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.
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