Josephine A. Syrjanen

October 19, 1922 - October 22, 2020

Josephine Antoinette Syrjanen, 98, of Florence, passed away on Oct. 22, 2020 at Dickinson County Hospital from complications of Covid 19.Josephine was born at the family home in Iron Mountain on October 19, 1922, the first child born to two Italian immigrants, Leonardo and Addolorata (Antonucci) Altobelli. Her parents named her for two Saints: Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony. Josephine was raised in this area and graduated from Iron Mountain High School. She married the love of her life, Leo F. Syrjanen, in Iron Mountain on August 12, 1942. Leo Preceded her in death in 2003. Josephine was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Florence. She was active in the Alter Society, Ministry of Prayer, Christian Mothers and the Daughters of Isabella. She was also a member of the Iron Mountain Paisano Club and the Finnish American Roja Ryhma. Over the years, she has been very active, enjoying bowling, cross country skiing, reading, dancing to Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood,” playing cards and birthday club gatherings. Josephine was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and secured season tickets for the family in the Vince Lombardi days. She was very proud of her Italian heritage and was an excellent cook, baker and pasta maker. She also had an impeccable sense of style. Josephine had a strong faith in God and deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to her mother, father and husband, she was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Hilda and Frank Syrjanen; brothers, Arthur (Bernice), Americo (Arlene) and John Altobelli; brother-in-law, Charles (Esther) Syrjanen; sister-in-law, Evelyn Clarke; niece, Jeanne Syrjanen; and nephew, Ramon Altobelli. Josephine is survived by her children, Michael (Eric Kugelman) Syrjanen of Chicago, Frederick (Barbara) Syrjanen of Waukesha, WI, Jeffery (Staria) Syrjanen of Crystal Falls, Merry Beth (Gregg) Gerschke of Richfield, WI and David (Terry) DeMuri of Crystal Falls; grandchildren, Erik (Erin) Syrjanen of Carmel, IN, Kristen (Travis) Krans of Hartford, WI, Lee Allyn (Laura) Syrjanen of Chicago, Joy Ling (Tony Han) Syrjanen of Lake Orion, MI, Geoffrey (Olivia Boyle) Gerschke of Chicago, Annelise Gerschke of Chicago, Kate Kugelman of Chicago, and Suzy (Jake) Armstrong of Chicago; and great-grandchildren, Kai and Kira Syrjanen, Florence Krans and Isaac Armstrong. She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Rena Altobelli; a brother-in-law, William Clarke; nieces, Jodie Kay (Susan Kirkham) Altobelli, Therese (Michael) Seda, Paula (John) Baker and Lynne (Leon) Sutherland, Sue Ann Overby; nephews, Michael (Janice) Altobelli, James (Karen) Altobelli, Dan Altobelli, Tony Altobelli, Dean Altobelli, Steve (Debbie) Altobelli and Billy Clarke; many great nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States, Switzerland and Italy; and her grand-dog, Noelle. She was the deeply loved matriarch of her family and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Visitation will be from 9:30 am - 11:00 am on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Florence, WI. A memorial mass will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Fr. Robert Chinnapan officiating. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Memorials may be made in her memory to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Florence, PO box 166, Florence, WI 54121 Or Friends of the Florence Library, PO Box 440, Florence, WI 54121 Condolences to the family of Josephine Syrjanen may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services with the arrangements.