Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Vivian S. Sokolowski, 85, of Hurley, Wis., and a former longtime Ironwood resident, died peacefully Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 2016, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, surrounded by her loving family.
The former Vivian Riihimaki was born March 16, 1931, in Montreal, Wis., daughter of the late Eero and Sofia (Pihlaja-Kuhna) Riihimaki. She attended Hurley schools and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1948.
She was united in marriage to John L. Sokolowski on Feb. 26, 1949, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Rev. Frank Ronkowski. John preceded Vivian in death on March 9, 2009.
Vivian worked at the Armata Motel on Cloverland Drive in Ironwood for 10 years, and as a dietary aide at Hautamaki's Westgate Nursing Home for 13 years, retiring in 1993. She was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood.
Surviving are three daughters, Patty (James) King and Marie Lindquist, both of Ironwood, and Joan Minnema, Park Falls, Wis .; four sons, Jerry (Cheryl), Ironwood, Michael, Eau Claire, Wis., David (Ludy), Jacksonville, N.C., and John (Susan), Oshkosh, Wis .; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Vieno Palomaki, Minneapolis; and two nieces and one nephew.
Besides her parents and husband, Vivian was predeceased by a grandson, Shawn Synkelma, in 2015; sons-in-law, Brian Lindquist, 2014, and Warren Minnema, 2013; and nephew, Eric Palomaki, 2011.
Per Vivian's wishes, cremation has taken place.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room beginning at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.
Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.
Luncheon will be served in the parish hall upon return from the cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
