Lucille (Lucy) Bartanen

Lucy was born on May 4, 1936 in Nisula, Michigan, to the late Fredrick and Alli (Ala) Hiltunen. She graduated from Baraga High School in 1954. She worked at the Ala Gas Company in L’Anse before making her way to Detroit. She worked at Hudson’s Department Store downtown as a bookkeeper. It was in Detroit that she met her future husband, Russell Bartanen, who had moved there from the Calumet area. They were married on May 16, 1959. They moved to Marquette in 1968 to raise their family. Lucy was a homemaker and bookkeeper. After her children were older and in school, she worked at the former Prange’s department store as the main bookkeeper until her retirement.

Lucy was a strong, loving and practical woman with a strong faith in God. She was a wonderful knitter and gardener. She knit baby sweaters for Lutheran World Relief for over 25 years. She made hats, mittens, scarves and afghans for family and friends and St. Vincent DePaul. She had lovely gardens for many years and still had a raised bed flower garden in her later years. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, word searches, game shows, The Lawrence Welk show and Wheel of Fortune. She loved her family and her granddaughter Laura was her pride and joy.

Lucy is survived by her daughter Della (Philip) Slavsky of Marquette, granddaughter Laura (significant other Brandon Caltrider) of Duluth, MN; many nieces and nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Russell, her son Peter, siblings Raymond Hiltunen, Gerald Hiltunen, and Kathryn Harker, a niece Sally Brunton and nephew Daniel Hiltunen.

Friends may call at Messiah Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Rev. Molly Hunter will officiate. A reception will follow in Magnuson Hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

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