KINGSFORD, Mich. - Aili D. Sironen, 93, of Kingsford, formerly of Negaunee, passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012 at Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford.
She was born August 17, 1918 in Republic, MI, daughter of the late John and Hannah (Leppala) Korte. Aili married Hugo Sironen on July 1, 1937 in Negaunee and he preceded her in death in 2005. She was employed as a nurse by hospitals in the Negaunee area for several years. Aili was also the neighbor nurse and caregiver for many of her friends and neighbors. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee where she served on the Miriam Circle. Aili was a longtime volunteer at the Senior Center where she made hundreds of mittens and other items for craft sales. She also helped out with Bingo at the Elks Club. Aili enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She is survived by a son, George Sironen of Negaunee; a daughter, Virginia (Leonard) Bietila of Iron Mountain; six grandchildren, Debby (Kim) Olsen, Cindy (Mark) Swan, Leonard III (Julie) Bietila, Sandy (Dean) Norlin, Patty (Kevin) Hooper and Cathy Sironen; 24 great grandchildren, Penny (Jon) VanderPol, Jared (Abby) Olsen, Polly, Ben & Bret Olsen, Jessica (Bryan) Lass, Jesse (Brittni) Swan, Natasha, Joshua, Jacob, Caleb, Brandon & Aaron Swan, Leonard IV (Tracy) Bietila, Laura, Amy & Sarah Bietila, Dustin (Naomi) Norlin, Casey, Sierra & Tyler Norlin, and Stephen, Kyle & Kailey Hooper; 15 great-great grandchildren, Nathan, Samantha, Briana, Sabrina, Hannah, Justin & Simon VanderPol, Trevor Norlin, Natalie Olsen, Isaac, Luke, Andrew & Ben Lass, and Logan & Aiden Swan; and several nieces and nephews.
Aili was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur and Hjalmer Korte and Leo Nurmi; and a sister, Aune Beauchamp.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 19, from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee. The funeral service will follow at 1:00pm EST at the church. Pastor Steve Solberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Aili D. Sironen online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.