James Robert Kuusisto

He was a graduate of Jeffers High School with the class of 1948.

After moving to Swedetown with his family, Jim worked for many years in the Public Chevrolet in Calumet in the auto parts department. He enjoyed playing hockey as a goalie for the Calumet Radars.

Upon marrying his wife Helen Niemela on June 15, 1957, the couple moved to California, residing first in Reseda, then in Camarillo. They returned to the Copper Country frequently, enjoying their summer home in Bootjack.

Jim was passionate about fishing, spending time with family and friends on Portage Lake and Lake Superior, thankful that Bruce Simula and Jerry Dion were able to take him out these past number of years.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen in 2015; an infant son, Robert; his son-in-law, John Arthur; his parents-in-law, Einard and Flora Niemela; his brother, “Buddy”; his sister, Evelyn; sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise and Paul Raasakka, Florence and Clifford Anderson.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Arthur of California and Diane (Alan) Rodgers of Tennessee; grandchildren, Melissa (John) Lowry of Tennessee, Adam (Jaime) Arthur of Texas, Kristi (Edward) Leon of Texas, Russell Arthur of California, Kevin Rodgers of Tennessee, Jimmy Rodgers of Florida, Brian Rodgers of Florida; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Kaitlyn Arthur, Weston, Brooklyn and Deacon Lowry, Olivia, Jack and Annie Leon; sisters, Ruth (Karl) Parks of Ahmeek and Mary Jane (Peter) Haapala of Menagha, Minnesota; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet.

Cremation has taken place in California. A summer memorial service will take place at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet with Erickson, Crowley and Peterson Funeral Home handling arrangements.