Donald Nurmela

Don was born on May 11, 1957, to Peter and Gladys (Nopola) Nurmela in Marquette, MI. He was raised in Ishpeming, MI, with his four siblings: Dave, Catherine, Steven, and Jim. He graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1975 and went on to attend Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1980.

Don married Marsha Carlyon in 1977, and they shared a forever kind of love that has been an example to all around them. Once married Don and Marsha lived in Houghton, MI, while Don finished his schooling before they moved to Alabama where Don started his career in the paper industry with Champion International. They welcomed their first child, Bradley, shortly before moving to Kingsford where they resided until the present time. Two years later, they welcomed Brenda, and their family was complete. Don continued his career in the paper industry until his retirement in 2017, though he contracted work as a project manager during outages until 2023.

Don had many hobbies including woodworking, photography, hunting, sewing, boating, reading, and fishing. He loved to cook, try new recipes, make meals on the Traeger, and grill. He lived life with a sort of curiosity that left no page unturned. His family never really knew exactly what he would be up to next, but they always knew it would be an adventure where lessons would be learned and there would be stories to tell.

He loved spending time at his hunting camp in Randville and a shared family cottage in Negaunee. Many hours were spent in his blind, practicing rifle shooting and archery, and pulling kids water skiing or tubing. He believed in others and encouraged them to do things that they didn’t think they could do and loved watching them succeed. His love of these places was emphasized when he got to share them with his favorite people: his wife, his kids, their spouses, and his five grandchildren.

Don’s faith in Jesus was of utmost importance to him. He spent many years serving on Cursillo teams and serving in the church. Nothing else lit him up like people finding the Lord for the first time. He felt privileged to be a part of that journey for others, to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth.

Don was a family man. At most gatherings he could be found at the kids’ table or on the floor playing with his kids, nieces, nephews, or grandkids. He wasn’t a fan of gossip and found dwelling on negative things to be a waste of time. He was a Finlander through and through, so he was not interested in small talk and long goodbyes. He was someone who would prefer to delve into ideas and the reasons behind why things worked the way they did. He always wanted to do better and be the best version of himself.

Don will be missed more than words can express. As a family, we find comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and that we will see him again. He was an organ donor, and as his last act here on earth he was able to give others hope and the gift of life. His kidneys were successfully transplanted to two different recipients, and his eyes will be used for transplantation as well.

The family would like to thank our local EMT providers, Kingsford Public Safety, Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson Emergency Department, the St. Vincent ICU team, and the UW Organ and Tissue Donation Team for their excellent care of Don in his final days.

Don is survived by his wife, Marsha; a son, Bradley (Whitney) Nurmela of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; a daughter, Brenda (Jacob) Husing of Eagle River, WI; his grandchildren, Amelia Husing, James Donald (JD) Husing, Alexis Husing, Audrey Husing and Charlotte Nurmela; his siblings, Dave (Betsy) Nurmela, Catherine (Sandra) Nurmela, Steven (Deanna) Nurmela, and Jim (Beverly) Nurmela; Marsha’s siblings, Den (Peggy) Carlyon, Bruce (Martha) Carlyon, Larry Carlyon and Dean (Carol) Carlyon; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Preceding Don in death were his parents, Peter and Gladys (Nopola) Nurmela, and his grandparents, Eino and Emma (Hutula) Nurmela and Urho and Elsa (Saari) Nopola.

Visitation will be held from 8:30 am – 11:00 am on Saturday, April 13th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. A service will be held at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow. Pastor Steven Cowen will be officiating the service and Pastor Ryan Flunker will give the message.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Donald Nurmela online at ernashfuneralhomescom.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.