Elma Heikkinen

Elma Lillian Heikkinen, age 75, of Elo, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Elma was born on August 26, 1950, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hancock, Michigan, the daughter of Alfred and Olga (Sillanpaa) Haataja. She attended J.A. Doelle High School, began raising her family at a young age, and later earned her GED from Baraga High School in 1971.

While devoted to raising her family, Elma worked at several local businesses, including the L'Anse Holiday Gas Station and the Pelkie Co-Op. She furthered her education at Suomi College, graduating with honors in 1985 with an associate degree in Applied Arts as an Administrative Medical Assistant.

Following college, Elma continued to balance family life with a dedicated career, working for various legal and medical professionals, area hospitals, and organizations throughout Houghton and Baraga Counties. She concluded her professional career working from home as a medical transcriptionist until her retirement.

Elma found joy in tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, keeping a well-cared-for home, and challenging herself with word and number puzzles, as well as jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed spending time visiting with her grand and great grandchildren. In the past, Elma enjoyed tending the bird feeders in her yard, traveling with her husband Mike during the winter months and reading.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Heikkinen of Elo; her children, Sandi Heikkinen of L'Anse, Loren Heikkinen (Peggy) of Gwinn, and Davin Heikkinen of Fox River Grove, Illinois; her brothers, Severi Haataja (June) of Chassell and Leslie Haataja of Elo; her grandchildren, Shanna Forcia (John Johnson), Hilarie Thoune (Kyle Mulka), and Holly Helms (Christian); and her great-grandchildren, Deslin, Silvana, Ruby, Julian, Myles, Sawyer, Emberli, Arabelah, Adalina, and Evalee. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Alexander, Brynolf, Willard, Ernest, Fabian, Norman, and Louis; and her sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Holzman, Martha Neal, Jenny Kaster, Nelda Wakeham, and Jean Juntunen.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 23rd from 11-1:00 PM at Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse. Her funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jesse Aho officiating. Burial will be in the Elo Cemetery.

Friends may sign Elma's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com