Helene Kainulainen

Helene was born December 3, 1933, in Boston Location, in the Copper Country, to John and Mayme (Jurvelin) Seppala and graduated from Jeffers High School. She met the love of her life, Oliver Kainulainen, while waitressing at the Kaleva Cafe. They were married on August 15, 1953, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, in Hancock, MI and together they raised their family.

Helene was employed for many years as a cook at the Palmer Nursing Home. She was an active member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Negaunee.

Helene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. She enjoyed watching softball, basketball and football, especially when her children and grandchildren were playing. She was an avid Negaunee Miners and Packers fan. She loved to take family trips and later in life took numerous bus trips with Oliver.

Surviving are her four sons: Oliver (Sandy) Kainulainen; Alan (Joellyn) Kainulainen; Terry (Patti) Kainulainen all of Negaunee; Mike (Kim) Kainulainen of Ishpeming; six grandchildren: Ryan (Alexis) Kainulainen, Adam (Amy) Kainulainen, Amanda Kainulainen, Sara Kainulainen, Kylee (Phil) Leyerer, Brandon (Anna) Kainulainen; four great-grandchildren: Raelynn and Layla Kainulainen and Sophie and Bennett Leyerer; four sisters: Mary Burgan, Alice Kolka, Margie (Bob) Andrews, Sandy (George) Kilpela; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oliver on April 24, 2020; and two sisters: Betty Voldarski and Kathleen Seppala.

Helene’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Wayne Carlson and to the staff at Eastwood Nursing for their compassionate care.

Funeral services for Oliver and Helene will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 6th, at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dan Hintsala officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Pallbearers will be Helene’s children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in both Oliver and Helene’s memory to Eastwood Nursing Center’s Activity Fund and/or the Negaunee All-Sports Booster Club.

Mrs. Kainulainen’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.