Sylvia B. Suomi, 97, of Ironwood, died Saturday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2008, in Hurley. The former Sylvia Makela was born Sept. 1, 1911, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Elmer and Bertha (Rosval) Makela. She married Heino W. Suomi on June 23, 1932. He preceded her in death on Oct. 28, 1968. Sylvia was employed at Runstrom's Hospital in Ironwood, and as a clerk at Jack's Food Shop and Carlson's Supermarket. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood and its Quilting Guild and the Erwin Area Community Club. Sylvia was a strong, independent woman, but yet very loving and caring. She was never afraid of hard work. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and respected her. Sylvia's youngest sister, Ellen Margaret Makela, lived in California with her four children, Tanja, Taru, Satu and Heidi. In 1971 when Ellen's death was imminent, Sylvia came to the rescue of confused teenagers. She provided everything to all four- love, strategies, guidance and food, and ultimately to seven-year old Heidi, provided motherhood and a second loving home. We are all eternally grateful to Auntie Sylvia for the nurturing and love she bestowed on us throughout our lives. Surviving are a sister, Lillian Elias, of Ironwood; nieces and nephews, Nancy (Robert) James, Glennie; Joanne (David) Sauter, Erwin Township; Judy (Archie) Johnson, Mercer, Wis.; Myrna (Wayne) Kartusch, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada; Loren (Rosemary) Sievila, Kalama, Wash.; Katherine (Allen) Erickson, Ironwood Township; Lori (Paul) Torkelson, Grandville; Lynne (James) Midboe, Farmington, Minn.; Tanja (Pete) McGrane, North Palm Beach, Fla.; Taru Lahti, Pleasanton, Calif.; Satu Lahti and Heidi (Jason) Preece, both of Livermore, Calif.; Terttu (Bruce) Anderson, Bessemer Township; Lillian Suomi, Green Bay, Wis.; Maria (Tom Carr) Suomi, Mesick; Gene Suomi II, Ionia; David (Carol) Suomi, Sterling, Va. and Seattle, Wash.; and Alice (Stanley) Drzal, Leading Hills, Mass.; a sister-in-law, Helia Benson Suomi, Arlington, Ill.; numerous great nieces and nephews, and an "adopted" son and dear friend, Gordon Soper, California. Besides her parents and husband, Sylvia was preceded in death by a son, Russell Suomi, in Oct. 1962; a step-son, Sulo Suomi, in Dec. 2003; a brother, Carl E. Makela; and two sisters, Anna Mattson and Ellen Lahti Miehe. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating. Committal will take place at the funeral home, with luncheon to follow at Tacconelli's in downtown Ironwood. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, in the spring. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., Ironwood, Mich. 49938. To view Sylvia's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc. of Ironwood