Ensio "Eric" Luhtanen

Ensio “Eric” Luhtanen, age 70, of Iron River, MI, passed away Monday, May 11, 2015 at Northstar Health System, Iron River. He was born June 25, 1944 in Kurrika, Finland, the son of the late Olavi and Nellie (Palomaki) Luhtanen. He attended the Iron River Schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1961, and then attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. Eric married the former Joan Hallberg on June 12, 1972 in Fond Du Lac, WI, and the couple made their home in Beechwood (Iron River, Township). They celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary in 2014. He was employed at the White Pine Copper Mine until its closure, the Public Works Department of Iron River Township, and retired from Anderson Trucking of St. Cloud, MN, in 1997. Eric was a member of Elks Lodge #1671. He was an avid reader, motorcyclist and outdoorsman, and greatly enjoyed fishing. He enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table visiting with friends, and was very proud of his son Paul. Eric is survived by his wife, Joan, and son, Paul Luhtanen of Iron Mountain, MI. He was also preceded in death by one sister. Private family services will be held. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ensio "Eric" Luhtanen, please visit our flower store.