1935
Norma
2014
Norma Jean Salmi
February 21, 1935 — January 9, 2014
Rumely
Norma Jean Salmi passed from this life to be with God and family on January 9, 2014. As much as we loved and wanted her to be with us, she had to make this journey on her own. Norma was born in Forest Lake on February 21, 1935 to Emil and Hilia (Hogan) Ihamaki. Later they moved to Hilltop location in Munising. In her junior year, Norma moved to Eben Junction to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Urho Pokela. Upon graduation from Eben High School, Norma went to cosmetology school at the U.P. Beauty Academy. During this time, she met the man of her dreams, Oswald Salmi. Oswald and Norma were married August 7, 1954 in Marquette, Michigan. They settled in their first home in Chatham. They then moved to Rumely and nail by nail and board by board they built their dream home together. It was in that location that they built their life together and raised their five children.
Norma loved to knit, crochet, bake cardamom and rye bread, and canned the tastiest pickled beets. She loved to dance especially at Finland Calling dances where she taught her daughters to Polka! Norma loved to sing anytime especially for special occasions. In her younger years, she enjoyed walking , bike riding, and cross country skiing with her daughters and the neighborhood ladies. Norma's greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved them dearly! She enjoyed making quilts with the ladies circle at the Sion Lutheran Church until her health took a decline. Norma had a great love for her Lord Jesus and would share that love with her husband and family.
Norma is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years - Oswald; children - Jeanne Salmi of Marquette, Joanne Anderson (Joe Perrault) of Negaunee, Keith Salmi of Rumely, Kristine (Michael) Praznik of Trenary, and Andrew (Leanne) Salmi of Trenary; grandchildren - Alisha (Dustin) Luoma, Eric Anderson, Ryan Praznik, Lucas Praznik, Aaron Salmi, Alexis Salmi, Misty Weeks and Natalia Salmi; great-grandchildren - Xander, Autumn, Trenton, Mia, Oliver, and Danica. Norma is also survived by siblings - Vivian Maki of Ishpeming, Gladys (Edward) Keto of Marquette, Arlene (Victor) Elavsky of Munising, Anne (George) Balko of Wetmore, and Richard Ihamaki of Wetmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Hilia Ihamaki; son-in-law - Joseph Anderson; sister Marion Pokela; brothers-in-law - Urho Pokela and Carl Maki.
A service celebrating Norma's life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham with Rev. Paul Kelto to officiate. Visitation with family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham in the spring.
Norma Jean Salmi passed from this life to be with God and family on January 9, 2014. As much as we loved and wanted her to be with us, she had to make this journey on her own. Norma was born in Forest Lake on February 21, 1935 to Emil and Hilia (Hogan) Ihamaki. Later they moved to Hilltop location in Munising. In her junior year, Norma moved to Eben Junction to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Urho Pokela. Upon graduation from Eben High School, Norma went to cosmetology school at the U.P. Beauty Academy. During this time, she met the man of her dreams, Oswald Salmi. Oswald and Norma were married August 7, 1954 in Marquette, Michigan. They settled in their first home in Chatham. They then moved to Rumely and nail by nail and board by board they built their dream home together. It was in that location that they built their life together and raised their five children.
Norma loved to knit, crochet, bake cardamom and rye bread, and canned the tastiest pickled beets. She loved to dance especially at Finland Calling dances where she taught her daughters to Polka! Norma loved to sing anytime especially for special occasions. In her younger years, she enjoyed walking , bike riding, and cross country skiing with her daughters and the neighborhood ladies. Norma's greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved them dearly! She enjoyed making quilts with the ladies circle at the Sion Lutheran Church until her health took a decline. Norma had a great love for her Lord Jesus and would share that love with her husband and family.
Norma is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years - Oswald; children - Jeanne Salmi of Marquette, Joanne Anderson (Joe Perrault) of Negaunee, Keith Salmi of Rumely, Kristine (Michael) Praznik of Trenary, and Andrew (Leanne) Salmi of Trenary; grandchildren - Alisha (Dustin) Luoma, Eric Anderson, Ryan Praznik, Lucas Praznik, Aaron Salmi, Alexis Salmi, Misty Weeks and Natalia Salmi; great-grandchildren - Xander, Autumn, Trenton, Mia, Oliver, and Danica. Norma is also survived by siblings - Vivian Maki of Ishpeming, Gladys (Edward) Keto of Marquette, Arlene (Victor) Elavsky of Munising, Anne (George) Balko of Wetmore, and Richard Ihamaki of Wetmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Hilia Ihamaki; son-in-law - Joseph Anderson; sister Marion Pokela; brothers-in-law - Urho Pokela and Carl Maki.
A service celebrating Norma's life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham with Rev. Paul Kelto to officiate. Visitation with family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham in the spring.
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