MARIE E. TAHTINEN

January 2, 1922 - May 31, 2008

MARIE ELIZABETH TAHTINEN, 86, of Troy, MI. and formerly of Baraga passed away Monday, March 10, 2008 at Troy Beaumont Hospital. She was born in Baraga on January 2, 1922 the daughter of the late Moses Joseph and Exilia Mary (Sylvester) Bellaire Sr. Marie attended school in Baraga. In 1940 she married Donald Tahtinen at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Baraga where she was a member. Together they owned and operated a dairy and vegetable farm in Baraga. Donald passed away on March 31, 2002. Marie enjoyed berry picking, baking and cooking for friends and family. She especially loved spending time with her children, grand and great grandchildren who meant so much to her. Marie was a fun loving person with a good sense of humor and a very big heart. Her compassion and concern for others was often expressed and through her deep faith, she sent prayers on behalf of those she loved and cared for. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. Mrs. Tahtinen is survived by her loving family; daughter, Nancy Marie (Robert) White of Troy, MI., grandchildren, Michelle (Paul) Cote of Troy, MI., Debra (Greg) Gasko of Warren, MI., and Kevin (Dana) White of Sterling Heights, MI., great grandchildren, Alexis and Austin Gasko, and Zachary White, sisters, Jeannine Pelto of Baraga, and June (Hal) Allm of Lawton, Oklahoma, and sisters-in-law, Pearl (Alvin) DeBoer of Escanaba, Gladys Bellaire of Green Bay, and Beatrice Bellaire of Redford, MI. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Albert, Moses, Aldrick, Richard, Lawrence, William, and Nelson, and sisters, Pearl (Milton) Rantanen, Priscella (Edwin) Tahtinen, and Norraine “Emmy" (Lou) Kosturik. A memorial Mass for Mrs. Tahtinen will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2008 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Baraga with Father George Maki, celebrant. Interment will take place in the Baraga Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass.