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Raymond Matt Hirvonen

Raymond Hirvonen

MARQUETTE, MI – Raymond Matt Hirvonen, age 93, entered eternal life Thursday, December 30th, 2021, in the loving, comforting care of his family.

Ray was born in Marquette in 1928, to Matti and Hilda (Michelson) Hirvonen, immigrants from Finland.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, he returned to Marquette to take over the Marquette Bottling Works with his brother; Mel, which had been in the family since 1919.

He married, Margaret (Peg) Johnson on November 10th, 1951 and they had three children; Linda, Matt and Mark.

As a young father and business owner, he was very active in the Marquette Community and soon served as a member of many civic organizations.

Raymond Hirvonen

He was a life member of the Monday Kiwanis Club, which his father had helped form many years prior. He was also was a member of Masonic Lodge #101, the Ahmed Shrine, Messiah Lutheran Church, and was a long standing member of the “Thin-Skins” Coffee Group.

Ray served on a number of community and corporate Boards, and particularly enjoyed serving as a director of Wis Pak, Inc., the First of America Bank of Marquette, Finlandia University, and Superior Extrusion, Inc.

Ray retired in 1989 and he and Peg spent winters in their second favorite place – Stuart, Florida, and enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home. Together they saw a need to help out the many great, local organizations and formed the Ray and Peg Hirvonen Charitable Foundation, which continues to serve the Central U.P. of Michigan and the Treasure Coast of Florida.

After Peg’s passing, Ray met Rachel Hetico and they were later married in 2004, becoming Papa Ray to the Hetico family and enjoying the combined families together.

Ray is survived by his three children; Linda (Michael Allkins) Hirvonen, Matt (Kathy Bull) Hirvonen and Mark (Kathy Blake) Hirvonen, four grandsons; Kyle (Alisa) Allkins of Chicago, Erik (Rachel Lahti) Allkins of Madison, Corey (Blair) Blake and Parker Hirvonen of Marquette, and three great-grandchildren; Elsa Allkins, Oliver Allkins, and Maren Blake, his special friend; Linnea Werner, as well his, Hetico family; Steve and Beth, Janet, Steven and Matthew, Bob, Emma and Katrina, Hope and Mackenzie, Tim and Waleka, Wendy and Steve, Katie, Drew, Casey, and Isaac.

Predeceasing Ray, were his parents, his wife of 50 years; Margaret “Peg” (Johnson) Hirvonen, his brother; Melvin Hirvonen, his second wife; Rachel (Pentinmaki) Hetico Hirvonen, John Hetico, and Susan Hetico.

Memorials can be made to the Ray and Peg Hirvonen Charitable Foundation, c/o Northstar Investments, 307 S. Front Street, Suite 107, Marquette, MI 49855, to Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic Street, Marquette, MI 49855, or to U.P. Home Health & Hospice 1125 W. Ridge Street, Marquette, MI 49855.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Teal Lake Senior Living Community and to U.P. Home Health & Hospice, for their compassionate and professional care of Ray, and for the many kindnesses extended to the family.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.

Services will be held at a later date in 2022.