Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Kenneth E. Pikka, 88, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away early Wednesday morning, Oct. 25, 2017.
Kenny was born on June 16, 1929, in Wakefield, a son of Tauno and Julia (Sampson) Pikka. He attended Wakefield High School.
Kenny proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
On June 27, 1959, he married Patricia J. "Patty" Elliott at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wakefield. They were blessed with two sons.
Kenny worked at the Sunday Lake Mine until its closure, and then was employed by White Pine Copper Company.
He was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church.
Kenny is survived by two sons, Gary (Debra), Wakefield, and James (Terry), Antigo, Wis .; six grandchildren, Danielle (Tim) Holz, Marenisco, Nathan (Megan) Dembowski, Antigo, Victoria (Chad) Pflueger, Wakefield, Ryan (Alissa) Pikka, Plover, Wis., Jacob Pikka, Wakefield, and Emily Pikka, Antigo; four great-grandchildren, Kristian Pikka, Anastasia Santi, Alexis Santi and Bryce Dembowski; two sisters, Delores Jurasin, Ramsay, and Pauline (Robert) Raffaelli, South Range; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patty, on March 17, 2012; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Wilfred and Elma and Herbert and Betty; and his brother-in-law, Frank Jurasin.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., in Wakefield, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Army Specialist Jacob Pikka, Nathan Dembowski, Ryan Pikka, Chad Pflueger, Tim Holz, David Pikka and Bill Willis.
A committal service and interment will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, with a military graveside service under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.
A luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall following the cemetery service.
The family would like to thank the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility Comfort Zone for all their exceptional care, comfort and support.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
