Michael A. “Mike” Lahti

Michael A. Lahti, a businessman, politician and lifelong resident of Hancock, Michigan, passed away on December 29, 2025, at the age of 80 of an apparent heart attack, at UP Health System Portage, surrounded by his family. Mike was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to many.

Mike was born on October 10, 1945 in Highland Park, Michigan to Marie (Heikkila) Lahti and William Leonard Lahti. He grew up in West Hancock and attended Hancock Public Schools, graduating in 1963. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in English. In 1966, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Pardini. Following a brief stint in Detroit, where their first daughter was born, they returned to make their permanent home in Hancock.

Mike opened his State Farm Insurance Agency in 1968, which he maintained for 55 years until his retirement two years ago. Throughout the years, Mike and Sharon opened numerous businesses in the community, such as the Ramada Inn of Hancock, local laundromats and car washes, a fitness center, and residential and commercial properties.

A very active community member, Mike was passionate about local politics. His political career started as a Hancock school board member. He then served as a Suomi College/Finlandia University board member, and later he served as Chair of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners. In 2006, Mike successfully ran for and was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives representing the 110th District, where he served two terms.

Mike and Sharon raised a family of six children. In his free time, Mike enjoyed tennis and breakfast with friends, family weekends in the Keweenaw, an annual family road trip to Florida, and daily walks through town. He loved watching professional hockey, his loyalties shifting to whatever team had the most Finnish players. Mike could always be found supporting his children and grandchildren at their various activities. He participated in the Canal Run for many years and fostered what has become a family tradition. What he most liked to do outside of spending time with family was to chat with people in his office or local meetings, and check in on his businesses, plowing driveways, and filling change machines.

To those who knew him best, Mike was a hard working, kind, generous, role model who will be greatly missed.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Marie Lahti, brothers William and Bruce Lahti, in-laws Mario and June Pardini, granddaughter Rachel Blau, and infant grandson Aidan Lahti. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sharon (Pardini) Lahti, his special first cousin Barbara Bryant, his children Michele (Ron) Blau, Catherine (Carl) Macpherson, Andrew (Christina) Lahti, John (Meena) Lahti, Ruth Lahti and Sara Lahti (Ndiaga Thiam); grandchildren Anne (Aaron) Koskela, William Blau (Vanessa Dulong); Carl Macpherson V and Isabel Macpherson; Ava, Alice and Ari Lahti; Ananya Lahti; Margot and Tessa Ryynanen; Alexander, Jeye, Quincy and Sharon Lahti-Thiam; and great-grandson Miles Koskela.

A funeral service will be held at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 3, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am. A luncheon in the church hall will follow the service.

The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.