Lillian E. Kilpela

She was born on September 13, 1926, in Hancock, a daughter of the late Oscar and Wilhelmina (Tapani) Poyhonen. Lillian was raised in Hancock and was a graduate of the Hancock High School. She then worked for a short time at the Portage Coal office.

On October 16, 1948, she was united in marriage to Howard Kilpela. The couple resided in Hancock where they raised their eight children. On November 14, 1978, Howard preceded Lillian in death.

Mrs. Kilpela was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton.

Preceding her in death were her husband Howard; her sons: Mark and Timothy; her grandson: Eric Kilpela; her great grandchildren: Buckley Zarda and Audrey Halonen; her siblings: Rudolph Poyhonen, Arthur Poyhonen, Elvie Abramson, Edna Heinonen, Viola Poyhonen, Erma Kilpela, Martha Poyhonen, Mildred Johnson, Ina Nordstrom, & Gotha Linder.

Surviving are her children: Ralph (Annette) Kilpela of Cokato, MN, Margaret (Darwin) Heinonen of Obenhoff, Ginny (Roger) Pietila of Howell, MI, Daniel (Shannon) Kilpela of Dollar Bay, Laura (Harry) Leukuma of Delano, MN, David Kilpela of Chassell; her daughter-in-law: Christine Kilpela of Atlantic Mine; 59 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren & 5 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Ruth Jurmu of Gardenview; her brother: Ray (Dorothy) Poyhonen of Hancock; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Lillian will be held at noon Monday, April 29, 2024, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with Pastor Mark Halonen to officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock at a later time.

Friends may call on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 10 a.m. until time of services at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton.

To view Lillian’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net (http://www.memorialchapel.net/).

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.