Sigrid E. Hantula

HURLEY, Wis. - Sigrid E. Hantula, age 96, of Erwin Township, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Hurley.

She was born July 12, 1918, in Ironwood, Mich., daughter of the late Thomas and Selma (Nelson) Jackson.

She attended the K.P. Silberg School in Erwin Township and then on to L.L. Wright High School. Due to hard times during those years, she had to quit prior to completing her junior year. For years she said that she would return to school for a high school diploma. Finally, in the 1990s, she went back to school and earned the diploma she had dreamed of.

She was a dedicated member of the Zion Lutheran Church and made sure her children attended church regularly, completed Sunday school and be confirmed.

She was also an accomplished artist, especially her oil paintings. She also did "tole" paintings, water colors and most other types of artist work. She was hired by the Gogebic Community College as an instructor for the painting classes and taught there for several years during the 1980s and 1990s.

Those who knew Sigrid knew that she loved growing her beautiful perennial garden, vegetable garden and magnificent rhubarb patch. Her African violets were her pride and joy. They sat upon the window sill above the sink as long as anyone could remember.

On Dec. 7, 1935, she was united in marriage with Matt N. Hantula in Ironwood. He preceded her in death on Dec. 9, 1987.

She is survived by one son, Del (Patti) Hantula, of Muskego; two grandchildren, Daryl (Connie) Hantula, of Muskego, and Debbie (Jim) Danielson, of Ironwood; four great-grandchildren, Bryan and Kyle Hantula, and Kiva and Chad Southwell; one sister-in-law, Barbara Jackson, of Ironwood; and many nephews and nieces, friends and loved ones.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sigrid was preceded in death by three sons, Thomas Robert, James Allen and Terry Al Hantula; two brothers, Robert and Raymond; and two grandchildren, Sandy Hantula Smith and Cody Southwell.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood. Andy Hill will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood. Private condolences may be sent to [email protected].

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.