Marion I. Niemela

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Marion I. Niemela, 98, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 12, 2025, following a brief illness at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on Dec. 13, 1926, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to William and Hattie (Moeser) Froehlich. Marion was working at the Wausau Hospital when she met her future husband, Wayne Niemela, who was receiving care there. Marion and Wayne were united in marriage in Ironwood, Michigan, on April 30, 1949. They made their home in Wakefield, where they raised their children together until Wayne's passing on Oct. 16, 1970. She was a faithful member of both the former Bethany Lutheran Church of Wakefield and Our Redeemer of Ramsay. Marion worked for several years in the laundry department at Indianhead Mountain until her retirement in 1983, when she proudly took on the role of full-time Grandma. While raising her children, Marion was not only a devoted homemaker but also a hard worker. She and her children picked strawberries and nightcrawlers to sell. In her later years, she spent countless hours in her many gardens and was well known for her home-canned goods, generously shared with family and friends. Marion always had a fresh pot of coffee ready for any visitor who walked through her door, typically paired with a treat-whether it was her perfectly round peanut butter cookies, a peanut butter blossom, or one of her famous sweet peanut butter rolls or cinnamon rolls. She lived a long, fulfilling life defined by deep faith, resilience, and an unshakable devotion to her family. She was the heart of her family and a source of quiet strength, love, and guidance for all who knew her. Marion was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; parents, William and Hattie; son, Douglas; daughter-in-law, Joann; son-in-law, Al Sanborn; sisters, Ella, Anna, Dora, Violet, and Elsbeth; brothers, William, and Conrad; and many wonderful friends and extended family members. She is survived and missed dearly by her six children: Karen Sanborn, Gary (Liisa) Niemela, Dennis (Sue) Niemela, Ronald (Ann) Niemela, John (Kristine) Niemela and James Niemela; 16 grandchildren: Adam (Michelle) Sanborn, Ben (Jessica) Sanborn, the Rev. Stephanie Niemela, Josh (Sarah) Niemela, Lara Niemela, Luke (Jennifer) Niemela, Dyonne (Don) Aspinwall, Nicole (Josh) Urbis, Jessica (Cesar) Donayre, Theresa (Chris) Kretovic, Daniel (Ashley) Niemela, Michelle (Justin) Miller, Nathan (Marja-Liisa) Niemela, Jennifer (Paul) Jacobson, Cory Niemela and Amy Niemela; and 23 great-grandchildren: Eden Sanborn, Peyton and Trenton Sanborn, Alivia, Kayla and Skylee Niemela, Eero and Axon Niemela, Lexi Aspinwall, Jaeden Lyons, Klara Urbis, Mila Donayre, Ella Kretovic, Weston and Mason Niemela, Ayla, Markus and Maya Miller, Emma and Abigale Niemela and Mara, Siri and Sven Jacobson. Marion found great joy in family gatherings, holiday traditions, and simply being present for the many milestones in her loved ones' lives. Her eyes would sparkle at the mention or thought of her grandchildren. She also had a special love for her pets over the years, especially her cat Mandy, who grew up alongside many of her grandchildren. Her legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering support will live on through the generations she helped raise. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will remain a cherished treasure in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service honoring and celebrating Marion's life on Wednesday, June 18, at 11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ramsay. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. Pallbearers will be Marion's seven grandsons: Adam Sanborn, Ben Sanborn, Josh Niemela, Luke Niemela, Daniel Niemela, Nathan Niemela and Cory Niemela. The family would like to extend their sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Jerald Rocco of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, the staff at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital and the Gogebic Medical Care Facility for the compassion and excellent care provided to our mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother.