Helen M Waisanen

October 4, 1928 - June 18, 2015

Helen M Waisanen (nee Hill) died peacefully on June 18, 2015. She was 86. Born on October 4, 1928 in Detroit, MI, she moved as an infant with her parents, Erick and Lillian Hill, to Ontonagon, MI. At Suomi College (now Finlandia) she majored in music and met her future husband, Frederick B. Waisanen of Aura, Michigan. Fred and Helen had three children, Christine, John and Erick. They enjoyed traveling, and Fred's work as a sociologist brought the family to Iowa, North Dakota, Finland, Costa Rica and Michigan, where Fred was tenured at Michigan State University and Helen taught in in Lansing schools for many years. The couple enjoyed traditional folk music, and were founders of the Aura Jamboree-- a multi-day music festival with dance since 1976-- and active with the Baraga Friends of the Arts. Helen was also active with many organizations including NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) and was Chair of Aura Community Hall. She took classes in lifelong learning, loved her movie nights at Peter White Library and enjoyed gardening, cooking, and quilting, among other interests. Helen was a nature lover, and enjoyed spending summers at the family's lakeside cabin on Pte. Abbaye. She was preceded in death by her husband Fred and her sons John and Erick. She is survived by her daughter Christine, her daughter-in-law Susan and her five grandchildren, John, Jr, Jeff, Ellen Mary, Tom and Erick. She was also immensely proud of her four great-grandchildren. Helen was a loving, strong and generous woman who was devoted to her family and friends, and she will be deeply missed. A memorial service was held on Sunday, June 28, 2015 from 5 pm-7 pm at the Pavilion at Presque Isle in Marquette, Michigan, 49855. Burial will take place at a later date in Aura, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Aura Community Hall, c/o L'Anse, Michigan, 49946 or to NAMI.org. A memorial service was held at 10:30 am on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse. The family greeted friends at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 10 am until the time of the service. Immediately following the memorial service, the family invited friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon in the Harrington Gathering room, located at the funeral chapel. Interment took place in the Aura Cemetery.