Ann Marie Sarkela

Born October 18, 1935, in Ishpeming, a daughter of Nestor and Sandra (Makela) Sarkela, Ann was raised in Negaunee. She attended the Negaunee Public Schools where she combined classroom studies with participation in sports activities, namely baseball and volleyball. Ann graduated from the Negaunee High School in 1953 and enrolled at Northern Normal Teachers College (now NMU) for a time before entering Augustana School of Nursing in Chicago. In 1957, she received her diploma as a registered nurse. Her nursing career would span over 42 years and her employments and work experiences were varied. She began her career at Bell Memorial Hospital, Ishpeming, and then moved to Bellingham, Washington. She was only there a few months when the death of her father necessitated her return to Negaunee. In 1959, she accepted a position at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle, nursing there for three years. She then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, working at the University of Minnesota Hospital for a year and Abbott Northwestern Hospital for two years. Ann returned to Negaunee to help care for her mother and was employed at the former St. Luke’s Hospital (Now Marquette General Hospital) from 1964 until 1967, when she accepted a teaching position at Northern Michigan University, teaching practical nursing. In 1971, Ann returned to Bell Memorial Hospital where she spent the last 28 years of her career, retiring July 1, 1998. A dedicated professional, Ann continued nursing, following retirement, in the private duty sector. In December 2007, she moved to Marquette. In her leisure, Ann enjoyed traveling to many parts of the country, taking cruises, and taking an especially memorable trip to Finland. She loved sports and was an enthusiastic fan of the Detroit Tigers and Green Bay Packers. Ann also enjoyed floral and vegetable gardening, handwork, especially knitting, embroidery, and cross-stitch. She was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church and enjoyed participating in the church’s senior group activities, a member of the Elba Morse Retired Nurse’s Association, Negaunee Historical Society, and Marquette County Historical Society.

Ann is survived by a sister-in-law, Marie Sarkela of Marquette; nieces, Sandra (Patrick Mazzeo) Sarkela of Pompano Beach, FL and Margaret (John Curtis) Sarkela of New York, NY; nephews, Allan (Marguerite) Koski of Negaunee, John (Mary) Koski of Sturgeon Bay, WI, and John Sarkela of Marquette; several great- nieces and great- nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Aili and Eino Koski; and her brother, Wiljo Sarkela.

Friends may call at the Bethel Baptist Church on Friday August 6, 2021, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services will be held on Friday in the church, at 11:00 am, with Pastor Hank Steede and Pastor Brian Oberg officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will be made in the Negaunee Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethel Baptist Church, Christian Radio Station WHWL, or a charity of donor’s choice.

The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com.