JEANETTE ALICE BESONEN's Obituary
“The sun shines not on us, but in us.” -John Muir
Jeanette ‘Alice’ Besonen, 86, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014.
Alice was born December 24, 1927, in Ishpeming, MI, eldest daughter of fourteen children of the late Alex and Vieno (Norback) Rajala. On December 10, 1949, she married her favorite dance partner Waino Besonen in Trout Creek. He preceded her in death on December 15, 1999, just days after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Beloved survivors include: her children David (Joanne) Besonen, Covington, MI; Janet (Philip) Neitzel, Big Rapids, MI; Donald (Nancy) Besonen, Watton, MI; Joan (Anthony) Haigh, Danville, KY; Gail (David ) Meinert, Springfield, MO; and Pamela Besonen, Covington, MI; grandchildren Katina and Nicole Neitzel, Big Rapids, MI; Kathryn (Matt) Holm and great-grandchildren Madisyn and Dawson of Pelkie, MI; Samuel Besonen, Marquette, MI; Gwendolyn (Nathan) Grave, and newly welcomed great-granddaughter Tullia Rose, North Liberty, IA; Adam Haigh, Los Angeles, CA; Rowen Haigh, Baltimore, MD; and Michael and Kristen Meinert, Springfield, MO; siblings Frank (Leona) Rajala, Watton, MI; Peter Rajala, Covington, MI; Marcy (Dale) Collins, Watton, MI; Gloria (Rudy) Franti, Ishpeming, MI; Paul Rajala, Covington, MI; James (Mary) Rajala, Covington, MI; Linda Holma, Hougton, MI; sister-in laws, Elma Hirvonen, Kenton, MI; Shirley Madden, Gladstone, MI. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members also survive.
In addition to her father in-law, August Besonen, and mother in-law, Hilda Besonen, her parents, and her husband, Alice was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Greg Neitzel, and four brothers, Reino, Carl, Richard "Matt" and John Rajala, and sisters Helen Perrow and Mary Ann Rajala, as well as several sister and brother in-laws.
Alice graduated from L'Anse High School, and, as a young woman, worked planting seedlings for the US Forest Service, at the local Co-op and also for a family in Highland Park, IL, before marrying and raising her own family and helping to run their family farm.
Alice was known for her love of life, children, her large extended family, music and especially dance. Alice was renowned also for her cinnamon rolls, enormous tasty meals, gardening, rag rugs, mastery of her treadle Singer sewing machine, SISU, sense of adventure and humor. She dearly loved her family and enjoyed traveling to them and with them.
Alice was lovingly cared for by her large family as she journeyed down the path of Alzheimer’s and enjoyed living 61 years in her home on the farm where she and Waino worked and raised their six children. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of the Henry Hendrickson Post 8945 of Covington. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
Alice’s family invited you to join them in celebrating a life well lived at a 2:00 pm service on May 13, 2014, at Reid Funeral Service and Chapel in L’Anse. Visitation was held May 12, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, and again from 1:00 pm until the time of the service on May 13. Burial was in the Covington Cemetery immediately after the service. A fellowship meal was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington following burial.
Alice’s family suggests that in lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations to either Trinity Lutheran Church’s Children’s Program Fund or to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Fund for Research (http://www.alz.org/gmc/in_my_community_donate.asp) can be made to honor our beloved mother and friend.
What’s your fondest memory of JEANETTE?
What’s a lesson you learned from JEANETTE?
Share a story where JEANETTE's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with JEANETTE you’ll never forget.
How did JEANETTE make you smile?