Ruth Ojala

Ruth Marie Ojala, age 97, of Houghton, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, Michigan.

Ruth was born on May 14, 1928, in Houghton, Michigan, the daughter of Arvo and Mariam (Lilstrang) Michaelson and grew up on the Michaelson family dairy farm in Askel where she worked all the chores of the farm including milking the cows by hand. Her mother, Marie, passed away from TB when Ruth was 6 years old after which her grandmother, Matilda, helped raise Ruth and her sister Helen until a stroke required Ruth to take care of her grandmother until her death.

Ruth began her education at the one-room Askel School, walking over a mile each day to attend. She remained a student there until the school closed in 1937 and was the last surviving attendee. She then began attending the Doelle Agricultural School in Tapiola where she graduated in 1946 and then pursued a lifelong passion for nursing. Ruth furthered her education by earning an associate degree and LPN certification from College Goldman, followed by an RN degree in 1969 from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Southfield, Michigan.

On May 17, 1947, Ruth married George Hanka to which union their three children were born. Later in life, she married Edwin Lonhgern on February 22, 1973 (d, 1987) and then Wilho Ojala in 1992 (d. 1996). Ruth lived in Warren, Michigan, where she worked as a nurse for many years. In 1980, she returned to the Keweenaw Bay area and continued her nursing career as a registered nurse at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. In 1982, Ruth began volunteering at the now, Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum in Askel where she was the boots on the ground in getting this pioneer homestead restored and running and which is still open for tours. The Homestead is listed as a Keweenaw National Historical Park, Heritage Site.

Ruth volunteered in many other ways including teaching Finnish, her first language, librarian and volunteer at the Finnish Center in Farmington, Mi, and was named "Baraga County Kiwanis Citizen of the year 1990".

She especially enjoyed writing, finding joy in both letter writing and writing many articles about growing up in her Finnish/American culture. She also traveled to Finland in her pursuit of her Finnish upbringing. Ruth continued to live on her own until a couple years ago when health issues necessitated assistance. Her embodiment of her Finnishness is best described as pure "SISU".

Ruth loved her family and friends and thoroughly enjoyed every happiness and deeply felt every sadness that occurred in their lives. She had an amazing memory and wonderful stories, along with names, dates, and little details of growing up in Askel, her marriages, her children, and her adventures. She looked forward to Sunday phone calls from her son Stephen. She talked endlessly about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her son, Stephen (Soksun) Hanka of Utah; her daughter, Carolyn Lindeman of East Lansing; and her grandchildren, Amanda Bleak, Andrew Lindeman, Juliana Larsen, Jacqueline Lindeman, Dawn Poinier, Kristen Ayres, Sarah DelGrosso and Jeffrey Hanka. She was blessed with a dear friend, Oscar Heikkinen, who faithfully helped her remain socially engaged for as long as possible, accompanying her to church, special events, shopping, and medical appointments.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arvo and Mariam Michaelson; her husbands, George Hanka, Edwin Lonhgern, and Wilho Ojala; her daughter, Cheryl Kristick; and her sister, Helen Pesola.

A service will be held in the spring, with burial in Askel Cemetery, where Ruth will be laid to rest next to her husband, Edwin. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Friends may sign Ruth's guestbook or leave condolences