Sonya Ida Ketola

Sonya (Senya) I. Ketola, 93 of Amasa, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 27, 1922 in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late Louis and Hilda (Keippela) Hiltonen. Sonya graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1941. Sonya moved to Chicago where she met and married Leon Rabitoy and worked at the Baby Ruth Candy Factory. She then moved back to the area after the tragic death of Leon. She later met Arthur Ketola and married on New Year’s Eve 1951. The couple settled in Amasa and she began working at Amasa Supply. Sonya would eventually go to work as a Nurse's Aide at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls retiring in 1987. She was a faithful member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Amasa. Sonya loved her trips to the casino, bingo, and picking berries and wildflowers in her fields at home. She took pride in cooking and baking for her loved ones. More importantly, Sonya was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed telling stories of her life growing up over a game of cards and always tried to make everyone laugh with her many jokes. Sonya was a strong and compassionate person who always told her family to be kind to people and animals. Sonya is survived by her daughters, Christine (Ken) Peltoma of Iron Mountain, Nancy (Patrick) Pete of Watersmeet, MI, Arline Hund of Crystal Falls, Donna (Jamie) Sjoquist of Amasa, and Rachel Ketola of Amasa; Grandchildren, Tim Peltoma, Kari Laurent, Julie Ketola, John Ketola, Jennifer Knapp, Justin Phillips, Jamie Rucinski, and Robert Pivatto; 13 great grandchildren; six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Ketola, in 1995, her sisters: Mayme Hiltonen, Ethel Johnson, Anne Olson and brothers John, Louis, Fred, and Rudolph Hiltonen. The visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls. The Memorial Service will follow at 4:00 pm at the funeral home. Rev. Micheal Laakko will officiate. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Sonya Ketola online at www.nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.

Sonya Ida Ketola

September 27, 1922 - December 2, 2015