Aili E. (Salminen) Praznik

Aili E. Praznik (nee Salminen), age 96, of Trenary, died Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Brookridge Assisted living in Marquette.  She was born in Marquette, Michigan on April 5, 1924, the eighth of eleven children to Jack and Hilma (Lehtomaki) Salminen.  Aili graduated from Eben High School.  She married Louis F. Praznik on September 30, 1944 and together they raised their six children.  Work took the family to Redford, Michigan, and this was their home until the early 1990’s. While in Redford, they were members of Lola Park Evangelical Lutheran Church.  After returning to Trenary, they were members of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Rapid River.  Aili enjoyed sewing, knitting, and was an avid baker.  All the neighborhood kids knew when Mrs. Praznik was baking, and her kids would trade their baked goods and homemade bread with friends.  Aili loved to visit and entertain family and friends, sharing her many treats.  Aili and Louis were the picture of a loving couple, and they were married for over seventy-three years when he preceded her in death in 2017.

She is survived by her children – Doriine (Kirby) Adkins of Keyser, WV, Louis (Gail) Praznik of Marquette, Lorrie (John) Osentoski of Cass City, MI, Robert (Jill) Praznik of Richland, WA, Richard Praznik of Westland, MI, and Jack (Kathy) Praznik of Lebanon, MO; thirteen grandchildren – Christine, Brad, Lisa, Kyle, Kelli, Olivia, Sally, Angie, Ashley, Felicia, Levi, Dallas, and Nash; numerous great-grandchildren with one more on the way; sister – Dorothy Smith of Redford; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Aili was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Louis, and nine siblings.

Private family services will be held with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.  Her obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.

Memorials in Aili’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. www.alz.org