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Evelyn E. Keskimaki

GWINN, MI – Evelyn Ellen Keskimaki, 92, of Gwinn, died peacefully Sunday morning, February 19, 2017 at Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.

Evelyn was born on March 22, 1924 in Negaunee, a daughter of John and Ellen (Ihamaki) Ylinen and was a lifelong area resident. As a young woman, Evelyn worked as a telephone operator, a cook for the homeless, at a gas station, and as a nanny in Connecticut.

Evelyn loved to dance, bake, sew, play cards with women friends and enjoy coffee and dessert with them.

She was as member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Forsyth Township Merry Mixers, was a life member of Gwinn VFW Post #5670 Auxiliary, was a member of the Forsyth Township Historical Society, an RSVP volunteer for several years and was a member of the Finnish Workers Educational Club.

Survivors include three children, Daniel (Pamela) Keskimaki, Donald (Kathy) Keskimaki, both of Gwinn, and Donna (Jack Leadbetter) Keskimaki of Marquette; three grandchildren, Peggy (Terry) Corkin, Tracy Keskimaki and Terry Doyen; two great grandchildren, Callie (Derek) Nyquist and Travis Corkin; three sisters-in-law, Arlene Ylinen of Ishpeming, Arlene Keskimaki of Gwinn and Ellen Korpi of Ishpeming; also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Keskimaki whom she married in 1946 in Ishpeming; one son, Kevin Keskimaki; three sisters, Ruth Maki, Lillian Fosmoe and Shirley Gustafson; three brothers, Howard Ylinen, Leslie Ylinen and Floyd Ylinen; also several brothers and sisters-in-law including a special brother-in-law, Martin Maki.

The Keskimaki family will greet relatives and friends on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon in Grace Lutheran Church, Gwinn with the Rev. Andrew Plocher officiating. Spring burial will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery. A luncheon will be served in the church hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 558 Highway M-35, Gwinn, MI 49841 or the Forsyth Township Merry Mixers, 165 N. Maple St., Gwinn, MI 49841 in Mrs. Keskimaki’s memory.

The Canale Gwinn Funeral Home is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.