Dorothy Geraldine Oikarinen

Dorothy was born on March 24, 1926, in Franklin Township, to the late Waino and Hannah (Harju) Helbacka. She was the eldest of five children, all who preceded her in death, including Irene (Reuben) Kaipio, Eleanore (Paul) Ekdahl, Marilyn (William) Sorvisto; and an infant brother.

On July 28, 1945, Dorothy married Waino Oikarinen, who passed away on September 8, 1982. Together, they had two children, Gerald (Linda) Oikarinen of Westland, and Kathleen (John) Haapala of Hancock.

Dorothy attended Arcadian and Hancock schools before moving briefly to Detroit. When she returned to the Copper Country, and after marrying Waino, she worked at the Arcadian Mine gift shop and cleaned rooms at the Whispering Pines Motel. But mostly, she took meticulous care of her house and home and raised her two children. Spending most of her life in Arcadian and Paavola, Dorothy enjoyed dancing, playing Pinnacle, hosting sauna night, planting flowers, and making sure the birds and neighbor dogs were well fed. She sure had SISU, living on her own until she turned 91, when she moved in with her daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law, John.

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her two children, as well as six grandchildren, Tracie (Daniel) Osterhart, Jerlyn (Michael) Twydell, Jerry (Megan) Oikarinen, Jr., Scott (Christine) Oikarinen, Wendy (Bob) Toth and Randy (Tammy) Kelley; ten great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and love to the staff at Portage Pointe for taking such loving care of Dorothy.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019, at the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home in Hancock, with Pastor Jesse Aho to officiate.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc.

Online condolence may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.