Elsie E. Stella, 84, of
Ironwood Township, died peacefully Friday, March 15, 2013, in
Ironwood, surrounded by her loving family. The former Elsie Lassila was born July 8,
1928, in Ironwood Township, daughter of the late George and Senia (Nasi)
Lassila, and attended Roosevelt Grade School and Luther L. Wright High
School. She married Antonio D. "Tony" Stella on Sept.
11, 1948, in Bessemer. He preceded her in death on July 4, 2003. Elsie was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in
Ironwood, where she served as longtime chairman of the funeral lunch
committee and belonged to the Rachel Circle. She loved her flower gardens and
enjoyed knitting, crocheting and doing crossword puzzles. She especially enjoyed
spending time with her family and grandchildren. Surviving are four children, Brian (Mary)
Stella Sr., Ironwood, Cheryl Bunt (Frank Loreti), Ironwood Township, Darrel
Stella (Patricia Smith), Bessemer, and Rick Stella, Muskego, Wis.; 12
grandchildren, Brian Stella Jr. (Amanda DeCarlo), Angela (Scott) Brogan, Daniel
(Tara) Stella, Tammy Stella, Jamie (Kirk) Nauman, Noah (Karli) and Anthony Bunt,
Jennifer Pineda, Theresa Valencia, and Debbie, Zachary and Kelsey Stella; 12
great-grandchildren, Brittany, Gianna, Antonio, Giovanni, Brooklyn, Bo, Kali,
Kyle, Sean, Ryan, Isabelle and Kagan; three sisters, Ellen Kangas, Irene Brozzo
and Elayne Matulik; brother-in-law, Frank (Gloria) Stella; sister-in-law, Mary
Bretall; numerous nieces and nephews; and special angel Jill, who we sincerely
thank for all the love, kindness and care given to Elsie. Besides her parents and husband, Elsie was
preceded in death by brothers, Edwin and R a y Lassila; and a sister, Evelyn
Lassila. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March
19, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church,
100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with the Rev.Kurt Kovanen
officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship
hall. Committal and interment will be in Sunset
Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township, in the spring. Pallbearers will be Brian Jr., Daniel and
Zachary Stella, Scott Brogan, Kirk Nauman, and Noah and Anthony
Bunt. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to
Regional Hospice, 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911. Arrangements have been entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood, where condolences may be given
online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com