1929
Mathias
2014
Mathias "Matt" E. Nikkari
May 2, 1929 — October 12, 2014
Munising
Mathias E. "Matt" Nikkari, age 85, of Munising, died Sunday, October 12, 2014 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1929 to the late Mathias and Edla (Korpi) Nikkari, Sr. in Wadena, Minnesota. Matt and his family moved to Newberry, Michigan in 1943, where he later graduated from Newberry High School in 1948. During his senior year Matt started his employment at Mac's Grocery in Newberry. He then moved to Munising where he worked as an Assistant Manager at the Red Owl under Hub Perrault. While working in Munising, Matt met and later married Mary Lou Benzing on June 21, 1956, and together they raised their five children. Matt's work moved he and his family around the U.P., working in Munising, Marquette, Hancock, as Manager of the Ironwood store, and then back to Munising, where he retired from Glenn's after working in the grocery retail industry for nearly sixty years. In all of these locations Matt enjoyed training the new employees and having an opportunity to work with the different generations. Wherever they lived, Matt and his family were always active in their parish and community. Matt loved the Packers and was a season ticket holder in the 1950's, and was a proud supporter of Mustang Athletics. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, following everything sports, traveling around the country with his family, and being in the outdoors. Matt will be remembered by his family as a hardworking and honest man who acted with integrity in all he did.
Matt is survived by his wife of fifty-six years - Mary Lou Nikkari of Munising; five children - Brian Nikkari of Tucson, AZ, Karen (Erick) Kestila of Escanaba, Bruce (Heather) Nikkari of Jacksonville, FL, and Bart and Brett Nikkari both of Munising; grandchildren - Brandon, Bradlee, Josh, Sarah, Kerah, Kay (Kalen), Mariah, Brock, and Haiden; brother - John Nikkari of Ann Arbor, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - Mathias and Edla; two sisters - Joyce (Art) Josephson and Audrey (Neil) Lyyski; and sister-in-law - Irene Nikkari.
Per Matt's wishes all services were privately held. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. In lieu of flowers memorials in Matt's name may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry of Munising.
Mathias E. "Matt" Nikkari, age 85, of Munising, died Sunday, October 12, 2014 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on May 2, 1929 to the late Mathias and Edla (Korpi) Nikkari, Sr. in Wadena, Minnesota. Matt and his family moved to Newberry, Michigan in 1943, where he later graduated from Newberry High School in 1948. During his senior year Matt started his employment at Mac's Grocery in Newberry. He then moved to Munising where he worked as an Assistant Manager at the Red Owl under Hub Perrault. While working in Munising, Matt met and later married Mary Lou Benzing on June 21, 1956, and together they raised their five children. Matt's work moved he and his family around the U.P., working in Munising, Marquette, Hancock, as Manager of the Ironwood store, and then back to Munising, where he retired from Glenn's after working in the grocery retail industry for nearly sixty years. In all of these locations Matt enjoyed training the new employees and having an opportunity to work with the different generations. Wherever they lived, Matt and his family were always active in their parish and community. Matt loved the Packers and was a season ticket holder in the 1950's, and was a proud supporter of Mustang Athletics. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, following everything sports, traveling around the country with his family, and being in the outdoors. Matt will be remembered by his family as a hardworking and honest man who acted with integrity in all he did.
Matt is survived by his wife of fifty-six years - Mary Lou Nikkari of Munising; five children - Brian Nikkari of Tucson, AZ, Karen (Erick) Kestila of Escanaba, Bruce (Heather) Nikkari of Jacksonville, FL, and Bart and Brett Nikkari both of Munising; grandchildren - Brandon, Bradlee, Josh, Sarah, Kerah, Kay (Kalen), Mariah, Brock, and Haiden; brother - John Nikkari of Ann Arbor, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - Mathias and Edla; two sisters - Joyce (Art) Josephson and Audrey (Neil) Lyyski; and sister-in-law - Irene Nikkari.
Per Matt's wishes all services were privately held. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. In lieu of flowers memorials in Matt's name may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry of Munising.
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