Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
GRAND BLANC, Mich. - Mayme Ingeri Pauline Usitalo (nee Reini) passed away at Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc on March 11, 2023.
Mayme was born Nov. 17, 1935, in Ironwood, the daughter of Katherine (Alavarvi) and Walter Reini. She attended Roosevelt grade school and graduated in 1953 from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. On March 30, 1955, she married Raymond Usitalo at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood.
Over the years, Mayme worked as an accountant at a trailer factory, Kodiak Corporation, and a CPA firm, Talaska and Sharpe. She was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ironwood and enjoyed singing in the choir, Bible study, and was the church auditor for many years. Mayme also enjoyed reading, knitting and spending time with family. Every grandchild received an afghan knitted especially for them.
She was proud of her Finnish heritage, and her "sisu" got her through the ups and downs of life.
Mayme was predeceased by her husband, parents, and all her brothers and sisters, including Toivo, Tauno, Elma Mylly, John, Martha Kinnunen, Helen Venetjoki, Marian (in infancy), Reuben, Eugene, Edwin, Roy, Ruth Segelin and Eino.
She is survived by her son, Howard (Jane) of Ann Arbor; and her daughter, Debra (Dennis) Klein of Fenton. Also surviving are grandchildren, Amy (Kevin) Begola, Dana (Paul) Rice, Mark (Hannah) Usitalo, Darren (Rebecca) Klein and Marc Klein. Her great-grandchildren are Ava, Thomas and Bennett Begola, Jack Rice, Clare and Lydia Usitalo, and Ryan Klein. In addition, Mayme is survived by her sister-in-law, Vienna Reini; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers or cards, memorials are preferred to: St. Paul Lutheran Church Steeple Restoration Fund, 111 S. Curry St., Ironwood, MI 49938.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, at 111 S. Curry St. in Ironwood. Interment in Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, at the church.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Mayme's legacy of life. You can leave condolences or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
