Shirley Lahti

Shirley was born March 23rd, 1928, in Covington Township, to Victor and Lempi (Jarvimaki) Nurkala and graduated from L’Anse High School, Class of 1946. She married the late Tauno Lahti in 1948, and together they raised their five children. Shirley worked various jobs in Marquette County, but was primarily a loving and devoted homemaker to her family.

Mrs. Lahti was a devout member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee, was a life member of the Negaunee VFW Auxiliary, and was a former member of the Dead River Campers. She volunteered tirelessly at numerous events between the church and VFW. Her church family was very special to her, and she enjoyed time spent with them visiting and enjoying coffee after Sunday worship.

Above all else, her family was everything to her. They made special memories over the years whether it was at her home or at her camps on the Dead River Basin and ‘Hunting Camp’ on Sands Plains.

Surviving are her three sons: Tom (Rita) Lahti of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, Steven (Linda) Lahti of Negaunee Twp., and Milton (Jackie) Lahti of Negaunee Twp.; two daughters: Shirl (Charles) Sundbergof Negaunee Twp. and Sara (Terry) Garceau of Negaunee; her five grandchildren: Greg (Jennifer) Lahti, Shawna Sundberg, Adam (Cassie) Sundberg, Emily (Isaac) Roberts and Abby (Joshua) Paquet; her great-grandchildren: Adylin, Ansley, Callie, Owen, Ethan, Noah, and baby Paquet due in December; her brother, Swen (Martha) Nurkala; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Tauno in 1995; three brothers and four sisters.

Honoring Shirley’s wishes, private graveside services will be held at the Negaunee Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Shirley’s memory to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee.

Shirley’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.

To Our Mom: “You always put family first and this was so evident with the many happy times at Dead River camp and the hunting camp. There were never any strangers, only new friends who came to visit. Celebrating Thanksgiving at hunting camp was always a special event for the family.”

Summer times at the Dead River enjoying her first cup of coffee on the patio and planning her day, knowing her children and grandchildren would be out to share it with her. She so enjoyed her grandchildren and then especially her great-grandchildren, who fondly called her ‘Granny Eunie.’ They always knew where to find the muffins she made for them.

“Thank you, Mom for making our lives special. We know you and dad are together again and just perhaps on the dance floor enjoying dancing to ‘In the Mood.'”