Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Reino Estola

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Reino Estola, 91, of Ironwood Township, passed away on Dec. 9, 2019, in Ironwood.

Reino was born on Sept. 21, 1928, in Ironwood Township on the family farm, the son of William and Ada (Kivi) Estola.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

As a young man, he drove a truck for Ahonen Lumber Company; and upon his return from the war, he moved to Ann Arbor, where he worked for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. In 1966 he moved his family back to Ironwood, where he took a job with Lake Superior District Power Company, which is now known as Xcel Energy, as a Foreman with the natural gas division, retiring in 1990.

Reino married the love of his life, Doris Rokola from Hurley, in June of 1954. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the church council, American Legion Post 5 and the National Finnish American Festival. He was very proud of his Finnish heritage.

Reino's hobbies were bowling, snowmobiling, woodworking, and gardening. He also greatly enjoyed his times at his hunting camp, the Extension Camp at Little Girl's Point and making wood for his sauna stove. He was a loyal fan of the Detroit Lions and Michigan State Spartans.

He is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Teresa Zanella; grandchildren, Hailey Goebler, Nick Estola and Samantha Stewart; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Bentley, and Camila; sisters, Helen Carr and Ada Hurula; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Reino was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ada Estola; his son, James "Jim" William Estola; siblings and in-laws, Walter Estola, Aune (Matt) Weiland, Irene (Tony) Komac, Arne Estola, Mildred Estola, Elmer (Mae) Estola, Inez (Mike) Sisko, Vienna (Edwin) Aili, Judy (Ray) King, Donald Estola, Daniel and Nancy Newhall, Weldon Carr and Jack Hurula; and in-laws, Jacob and Hilda Rokola.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Zion Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor Francis Strong officiating, preceded by a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family. For more information or to express online condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

 
 
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