Eleanore J. Wilmers

She was born on Feb. 18, 1922, the youngest of ten children to the late Henry and Kaisa Kallio. Eleanore was very faithful and caring in all areas of her life. Her family meant the most to her. A dedicated homemaker, Eleanore enjoyed baking breads, cookies, and pasties. She had a quick wit and a cheerful personality. She spoke Finnish fluently and carried on many Finnish traditions throughout her life like baking pannukakku, nisu, and prune tarts. On occasion, she’d sing her famous “sauna song”, a favorite amongst the family.

John and Eleanore loved their summers at Big Traverse Bay during their retirement years. After her morning walk, Eleanore kept busy. Her favorite activities included cooking for family gatherings, flower gardening, hanging clothes on the line to dry “in the lake air” and “warming the sauna.”

Throughout her life, Eleanore was a devoted member of the Laurium Apostolic Lutheran Church. Over the years, she generously devoted her time and service to committees and church-related activities.

She was preceded in death by her six brothers; three sisters; and her loving husband of 69 years, John Wilmers in 2010.

She was survived by four daughters who they thought the world of, Carol (Jerome) Sachinski of Escanaba, Linda (George) Kingstrom of Eagle River, Lorna (Dan) Elve of Montague, Mich., and Joy (John) Soumis of Prescott, Mich; a loving “cookie” grandmother of Maria (Greg) Eastman, Kristina (Tom) Karkkainen, Kelly (Heath) Garland, Kerry (Eric) Jackson, Greg (Cassi) Kingstrom, Melissa (Alan) Chichester, Joshua Soumis, and Molly (Joe) Bonacci; and great-grandmother to Gunnar, Gus, Gabe, Kaisa, Evi, Tommy, Ida, Elsa, Anna, Landon, and Kellan; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Karl and Dolores Wilmers of Peoria, Ariz.; sister-in-law, June Wilmers of Laurium; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family is very grateful to the staff at Portage Pointe and Aspirus at Home for the care and love they gave Eleanore.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Eleanore may be made to the Laurium Shining Light Church, 246 Tamarack St., Laurium, MI 49913.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home with Pastor Arvo Onermaa to officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019.

Burial will take place in the spring at Calvary Cemetery in Ahmeek. Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com. The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.