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Rita L. Moilanen

DOLLAR BAY — Rita L. Moilanen, 86, a former resident of Dollar Bay and Arbor Green Senior Living Community in Houghton passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe in Hancock where she had been a resident patient.

She was born on October 14, 1933, in Pointe Mills, a daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Binoniemi) Kempainen. Rita was raised in Pointe Mills and attended the Dollar Bay School where she graduated with the class of 1952. She also attended Soumi College.

Rita had worked for the Copper Country Dairy for a short time and on February 12, 1954, she was united in marriage to Eugene Moilanen. The couple had resided in Chicago, Ill., where Rita worked for Bell Telephone Company, they then moved to Livonia where Rita had worked as the manager of a Senior Living Apartment building. In retirement, the couple moved to make their home in Dollar Bay. In 2001, Eugene preceded Rita in death.

Mrs. Moilanen was a member of the former First Lutheran Church of Dollar Bay. She loved to volunteer and help anyone or any cause such as Little Brother’s Friends of the Elderly, FCE and the Salvation Army. Rita enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower garden and spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother, Paul Kempainen; her sisters, Charlotte Hakkila, Shirley Zerbst and Gloria Kempainen.

She is survived by her brother, Charles Kempainen of Milwaukee, Wisc.; her sister, her Betty Carlson of Superior Location; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

As Rita said she was born, lived and died. Her funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock with Vicar Miach Cavalri to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements which will be announced at a later time. Friends may call on Saturday, November 23, 2019, from 12 noon until time of services at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock. To view Rita’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.