Sylvia I. Pesola

She was born June 14, 1931, in Painesdale, to Henry and Hilda (Heikkinen) Tuohimaa, and attended the Painesdale and Tapiola schools.

Sylvia married Arnold Pesola on June 25, 1949. They were married for 68 years. Arnold passed away in January of 2018.

Sylvia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her flower beds, making afghans, playing games and building puzzles with her grandchildren.

Along with Arnold, Sylvia served the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sault Ste. Marie. She was a long-time member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Tapiola, which she loved.

Sylvia was a resident of the Lighthouse at Hancock for two and a half years, where she was well cared for and a part of the “family”. We thank and applaud the staff there for their love and kindness.

Sylvia is survived by her children, Jean (Thomas) Heider, Faye (Wayne) Nygord and Bruce Pesola (Meg Hiltunen); 10 grandchildren, Theresa, Wallace (Tiffany), Wade (Jeri), Crystal, Danielle, Michael, Joseph (Shannon), David (Angelea), Victor and Leanne; 12 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Rebecca, Wyatt, Mark, Weston, Benjamin, Sylvie, Tucker, Ava, Eli, Emma and Charlie; a brother, David (Pauline) Tuohimaa; three sisters-in-law, Esther Juntunen, Florence Pesola and Helen Pesola; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her husband, Sylvia was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Lorraine (Waino) Kommes; a brother, Robert (Marie) Tuohimaa; and grandsons, Wayne Jr. and Jacob.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020, at the Mountain View Mortuary in South Range, with Pastor Chuck Bylkas officiating.

Spring burial will be in the Elo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sylvia’s memory.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.