KINGSFORD - Aili D. Sironen, 93, of Kingsford, formerly of Negaunee, passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012, at Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford.
She was born Aug. 17, 1918, in Republic, daughter of the late John and Hannah (Leppala) Korte.
Aili married Hugo Sironen on July 1, 1937, in Negaunee and he preceded her in death in 2005. She was employed as a nurse by hospitals in the Negaunee area for several years. Aili was also the neighbor nurse and caregiver for many of her friends and neighbors.
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She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee where she served on the Miriam Circle. Aili was a longtime volunteer at the senior center where she made hundreds of mittens and other items for craft sales. She also helped out with bingo at the Elks Club.
Aili enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She is survived by a son, George Sironen of Negaunee; a daughter, Virginia (Leonard) Bietila of Iron Mountain; six grandchildren, Debby (Kim) Olsen, Cindy (Mark) Swan, Leonard III (Julie) Bietila, Sandy (Dean) Norlin, Patty (Kevin) Hooper and Cathy Sironen; 24 great-grandchildren, Penny (Jon) VanderPol, Jared (Abby) Olsen, Polly, Ben and Bret Olsen, Jessica (Bryan) Lass, Jesse (Brittni) Swan, Natasha, Joshua, Jacob, Caleb, Brandon and Aaron Swan, Leonard IV (Tracy) Bietila, Laura, Amy and Sarah Bietila, Dustin (Naomi) Norlin, Casey, Sierra and Tyler Norlin, and Stephen, Kyle and Kailey Hooper; 15 great-great grandchildren, Nathan, Samantha, Briana, Sabrina, Hannah, Justin and Simon VanderPol, Trevor Norlin, Natalie Olsen, Isaac, Luke, Andrew and Ben Lass, and Logan and Aiden Swan; and several nieces and nephews.
Aili was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur and Hjalmer Korte and Leo Nurmi and a sister, Aune Beauchamp.
Visitation will be Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern time) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Negaunee.
The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) at the church. Pastor Steve Solberg will officiate.
Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Aili's grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Aili D. Sironen online at ernashfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.