WHITE HALL, Ill. - Florence M. Ketola of White Hall, Ill., formerly of Baraga, passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at the White Hall Nursing Home where she had been a resident since December 2007.
Florence was born Jan. 13, 1926, in Elo, daughter of John and Lempi (Kuopus) Byykkonen. She was raised in Elo and attended the John A. Doelle School in Tapiola.
She married Ralph Ketola on Feb. 6, 1947, in Laurium. They resided in Elo until 1994 when they moved to Keweenaw Bay. Florence later lived in Baraga.
Florence was a member of Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie.
She worked as a Tupperware manager, owned Flo's Ceramic Shop in L'Anse, cooked for several area restaurants and did a variety of other jobs throughout the years. Florence enjoyed knitting, crocheting and all crafts in general. She knitted over 100 sweaters for the Mission United Lutheran Church program.
She is survived by her son, Dennis Ketola of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Barbara (David) Beck of Hillville, Ill.; brothers, Arthur (Irene) Byykkonen of Chassell, Wesley (Ann) Byykkonen of Hancock and Harold (Donna) Byykkonen of Chassell; sisters, Ruth Maki of Chassell, Esther Bohto of Eau Claire, Wis., and Sally (Gary) Johnson of Eau Claire; grandson, Brian (Lynn) Kauppinen of Little Rock, Ark.; granddaughter, Alicia (Mark) Kennedy of Dallas, Texas; great-grandchildren, Rachel Kauppinen and Kara and Jack Kennedy; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ralph on April 12, 1997; brothers, Bob, Howard, Paul, Edward and an infant brother; sisters, Alma Eilola and Nancy Cline.
A graveside service will be held in the Elo Cemetery at a later date.
The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may sign Florence's guestbook or send condolences at jacobsonfuneralhome.com.