Steven Roy Salmi, age 70, of Ironwood, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

Steve was born on March 20, 1954, to Barney and Luella (Santi) Salmi in Ironwood, Michigan. He attended Ironwood Twp elementary schools and graduated from Ironwood High School in 1972 having participated in many sports along the way, excelling in football where he made lifelong friends. Steve then attended Gogebic Community College and later graduated from the University of Michigan where he received his Bachelor's of Business Administration. He was a proud, lifelong supporter of the Wolverines and of his Finnish heritage, in equal measure.

Steve was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood for most of his life, where he served as Council President and on the Board of Elders, as well as leading or participating in many other church activities. He was the president of the village of Haugen, WI, and loved coaching the Haugen Hornets Baseball team for many years. Steve had a wonderful singing voice that he shared throughout his life in musicals, karaoke, and singing in the church choir. He was an AVID sports fanatic, especially for his beloved Wolverines, Packers, and Lions… as well as local sports teams like the Ironwood Red Devils. Steve also loved to go fishing with his nephews, great-nephews, and friends, especially on Lake Gogebic and Lake Superior. He was the President of the Lake Gogebic Improvement Association. Many knew him by his voice on WJMS radio playing and winning Trivia. Steve was a loyal friend and a good man. He was generous with his time and energy for others and always made time for those in need. He will be sorely missed.

Steve is survived by his sister, Jane (Dusty) Barclay; niece, Michelle Haskins; and her children, Sierra, Gia, and Iyla; nephew Scott Salmi and his children Devin, Ethyn, and Vanea; nephew, Christopher (Emily) Vlasich; and their children, Elise and Charlie; nephew, Evan (Amerjit) Barclay; and their son Malcolm Jackson; nephew, Drew Barclay; and his close cousin, Joel (Janice) Massie. Also, too many dear family members and friends to list.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Luella Salmi, and his brother, Jim Salmi.

Visitation for Steve will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood. A celebration of Steve's life to follow. The burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood at a later date.

A special thank you to Bruce Jackson for re-homing Steve's precious cat, Lutey.

Flowers may be pretty, but to honor Steve memorials may be directed in his name to: Trinity Lutheran Church, The Red Devil Education Foundation, and the Gogebic Community College Foundation.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25v23