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Elsie S. Kahila

HOUGHTON Elsie S. Kahila, 90, a former resident of Arbor Green in Houghton and Arnheim, passed away on Monday morning, October 3, 2016, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a resident for the past year.

She was born on August 10, 1926, in Ewen, a daughter of the late Peter A. and Tyne (Wesman) Kinnunen. As a child, the family moved to Arnheim.

Elsie attended the Keweenaw Bay and Baraga Schools. She later went back to school and received her high school diploma in 1968.

In 1943, she was united in marriage to Charles Ruotsi. The couple had resided in Arnheim and in 1967, he preceded her in death.

In 1969, she was united in marriage to Donald R. Kahila and they had resided in Chassell and he also preceded Elsie in death in 2010.

Elsie had worked as a nurses aide in L’Anse at the Winkler Nursing Home and retired from the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock.

Mrs. Kahila was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chassell for over 85 years. She was also a member of VFW Post #6507 Auxiliary of Chassell.

Preceding her in death were her husbands; her parents; two sons, Russell and Thomas; two sisters, Pauline Ross and Myra Walitalo; and one brother, Roy Kinnunen.

Surviving are her children, Carolyn Pleaugh of Houghton, Shirley Luty of Port Orchard, Washington, Michael (Sandi) Ruotsi of Skandia, Linda (Mark) Ranta of Green Bay; her daughters-in-law, Cheri Rutsi of Chassell; her step-daughters, Karen (Garry) Conell of Hancock, Danna Heras of Alabama, Cathy (Rodney) Marris of Australia; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren, three sisters, one brother and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Elsie will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, with Rev. Joe Iverson to officiate. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery.

Friends may call on Friday, October 7, 2016, from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, where Post #6507 V.F.W. auxiliary of Chassell will hold a service at 10:45 a.m.

To view Elsie’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell have been assisting the family with the arrangements.

Elsie S. Kahila

Elsie S. Kahila, 90, a former resident of the Arbor Green in Houghton and Arnheim, passed away Monday morning October 3, 2016, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe in Hancock where she had been a resident for the past year.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time.