Bernice Palkki
MARQUETTE, MI – Bernice E. Palkki, age 93, of 514 Lost Creek Dr. Marquette Twp., and longtime National Mine resident, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at UP Health System Bell in Ishpeming.
Bernice was born in Zim, MN on February 6, 1931, a daughter of the late Saimie (Kangas) and Matt Hietala. She was a graduate of the Grand Rapids High School in MN. Bernice worked for Northwestern Bell in Duluth and Grand Rapids, MN prior to moving to National Mine. While in this area, she worked as a Housekeeper at the Bell Hospital for many years.
Bernice was a former member of Salisbury United Methodist Church where she had been an active participant in many church activities. She was a founding member of the Card / Diet Club which met weekly in National Mine. Bernice loved to play card games with family and dominos with her friends at Lost Creek. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. Bernice truly cherished her Finnish heritage and loved baking and cooking her favorite Finnish recipes. She will be remembered for her “Sisu”. She enjoyed dancing, bowling and camping in her younger years and was well loved by all that knew her.
Survivors include her husband of 74 years, Mathew W. Palkki of Marquette, three sons – Allyn (Lois) Palkki of Black River Loc., Keith (Karen) Palkki of Ishpeming, Kevin (Sue) Palkki of Negaunee, a daughter, Gayle (Jeffrey) Cain of Cedar Springs, a sister, Bonnie Winn, of Alanson, 7 grandchildren – Josh Palkki, Brenna Sura, Heather Rogina, Matthew Palkki, Michael Palkki, Keith Cain, Beth Graham, 14 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Helen Palkki, brother Kenneth Hyatt, grandchild Linda Sue Cain and great grandchild Corban Palkki.
The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00 – 3:00pm on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 3:00pm with the Rev. Terri Branstrom to officiate. A luncheon will follow the services at the Ishpeming Elks Lodge. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
The family would like to thank Dr. Shawna Gleason for her wonderful loving care she provided to Bernice and Mathew.
Bernice’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.