Mildred Gertrude SYMONS

Mildred "Millie" Gertrude Symons, 81, of Marquette died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, August 16, 2012 at Marquette General Hospital with her loving family at her side. Born November 2, 1930, in Ramsay, MI, Millie was the daughter of the late William and Jennie Peltola, both immigrants from the country of Finland. Because of her strong Finnish upbringing, Millie could speak Finnish fluently. We loved to hear her speak in Finnish. If you heard Finnish at times "you were in trouble". Other times she was teaching or singing it. A majority of this immigrant family settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Millie grew up in Ramsay, attended Ramsay School from kindergarten to 9th grade. She then was bussed to Bessemer, MI and attended AD Johnston High School and graduated in 1948. Shortly after graduation her mother died and she became her father's caregiver. Millie worked in the National Food Store and later at JC Penney Company in Ironwood, MI. Reverend Ingraham married her and Phil Symons on September 20, 1952 in Ironwood, at the Newport Methodist Church. Their best man was Dad's brother, Robert and the maid of honor was Dad's sister, June with their reception following at Dad's Mother's house. Her husband, Phil, had a great love for boats (as does her son's). "Small ones or big ones, we had to have a boat". Millie and Phil made their home in Ramsay and later moved to White Pine, MI. Millie was a great person and great mother. She enjoyed this role along with cooking. She also enjoyed many different crafts of which she made and gave away as presents. If you received one of these presents, it was a great honor. We will cherish them. She also enjoyed socializing and having coffee with her lady friends at their several locations. Millie's husband, Phil, died in February of 1977. After his death, she worked at the hospital in White Pine as a medical transcriptionist. Later, she moved to Marquette in 1991. Millie is survived by her first born son, Darrel (Paula) Symons of Sturgeon Bay, WI; her second born child, a daughter, Deb (Dan) Audette of Marquette; third child, a son, Dan Symons of Marquette. She is also survived by the "loves of her life", her grandchildren, Philip & Andy, children of Darrel & Paula; Dan (Carrie) and Diana (Todd), children of Deb & Dan; and most important, her great-grandchildren, Logan & Brady, children of Dan and Carrie Audette and Bryce and Braylen, children of Diana & Todd Rautio. Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; Mom & Dad (Jennie and Bill); sister, Helmi; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, sister's-in-law, brother's-in-law, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 3 p.m. CST with visitation from 2 to 3 p.m. CST in the funeral home. It is a great honor to her family to have her niece, Karen Niemi officiating. Millie will rest at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood next to her loving husband, Phil. In lieu of flowers, and with Millie's love of animals in mind, memorial contributions can be made to UPAWS at 84 Snowfield Road, Negaunee, MI 49866. The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette is also assisting the family where memories may be shared at www.canalefuneral.com