Obituary for Maj-Britt Kangas
Maj-Britt Kangas, 89, of Ironwood, passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and assisted Living Community.
Maj-Britt was born the daughter of Leo and Irma (Lehtinen) Nyberg on October 17, 1931 in Helsinki, Finland. She attended and graduated school in Finland. After school Maj-Britt worked for a telephone company, a retail store and the Finnish State Department.
On August 16, 1953 Maj-Britt was united in marriage with John “Gil” Kangas in Helsinki, Finland at Killion Kirkko by Rev. Kukkonen. Maj-Britt met Gil at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki while he was on leave from U.S. Army stationed in Germany. He was walking around Helsinki and he saw Maj-Britt looking out the window of her parents apartment. He asked her out in his broken Finnglish to see the African Queen [Bogart & Hepburn} at the cinema, and the rest is history. Shortly after marriage Maj-Britt and Gil moved to the United States, living in Beloit, Wisconsin, Marquette, Michigan and the Escanaba area until moving to Ironwood in the 1960’s. Maj-Britt managed a 1-hour dry-cleaners for 2 years and retired from Community Action as the head cook in nutrition. Maj-Britt loved to read, sew and knit, garden and go bowling.
She is survived by her husband; John “Gil”; sons; Thomas of Ironwood and John (Katie) of Montreal; daughters, Maj-Lis (Robert) Sejbl of Chippewa Falls and Mej-Ra Kangas of Kaukauna; grandchildren, Kristine (Dustin) Basom, Pamela (Dustin) Luczak,, and Joshua (Michelle) Norsen; great-grandchildren. Ava & Grady Bason, Annabelle & Madeline Luczak and Ivy Elaine Norsen; and her brother-in-law; Russell (Muriel) Kangas of Marquette. Maj-Britt is further survived by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A visitation for Maj-Britt will be held on Wednesday, June 30th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood with a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mike Hill officiating.
If desired, memorials may be directed to Community Action in Maj-Britt’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff, and a special thank you to Carol, at Westgate Nursing Home for their care.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Maj-Britt’s legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
Maj-Britt was born the daughter of Leo and Irma (Lehtinen) Nyberg on October 17, 1931 in Helsinki, Finland. She attended and graduated school in Finland. After school Maj-Britt worked for a telephone company, a retail store and the Finnish State Department.
On August 16, 1953 Maj-Britt was united in marriage with John “Gil” Kangas in Helsinki, Finland at Killion Kirkko by Rev. Kukkonen. Maj-Britt met Gil at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki while he was on leave from U.S. Army stationed in Germany. He was walking around Helsinki and he saw Maj-Britt looking out the window of her parents apartment. He asked her out in his broken Finnglish to see the African Queen [Bogart & Hepburn} at the cinema, and the rest is history. Shortly after marriage Maj-Britt and Gil moved to the United States, living in Beloit, Wisconsin, Marquette, Michigan and the Escanaba area until moving to Ironwood in the 1960’s. Maj-Britt managed a 1-hour dry-cleaners for 2 years and retired from Community Action as the head cook in nutrition. Maj-Britt loved to read, sew and knit, garden and go bowling.
She is survived by her husband; John “Gil”; sons; Thomas of Ironwood and John (Katie) of Montreal; daughters, Maj-Lis (Robert) Sejbl of Chippewa Falls and Mej-Ra Kangas of Kaukauna; grandchildren, Kristine (Dustin) Basom, Pamela (Dustin) Luczak,, and Joshua (Michelle) Norsen; great-grandchildren. Ava & Grady Bason, Annabelle & Madeline Luczak and Ivy Elaine Norsen; and her brother-in-law; Russell (Muriel) Kangas of Marquette. Maj-Britt is further survived by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A visitation for Maj-Britt will be held on Wednesday, June 30th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood with a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mike Hill officiating.
If desired, memorials may be directed to Community Action in Maj-Britt’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff, and a special thank you to Carol, at Westgate Nursing Home for their care.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Maj-Britt’s legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.