Fannie Elizabeth Proksch

Fannie “Elizabeth” Proksch, age 93, of Iron River, MI, was lovingly called home by God on December 5, 2014 from the Iron River Care Center. She was born January 26, 1921 in the Burns Addition of Iron River, MI, the daughter of the late Hugo Ivar and Hulda (Wisuri) Reijonen. She graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1939. In 1940 Elizabeth graduated from the Lake College of Commerce in Waukegan, IL. She worked for Proksch Construction Company as a secretary and payroll manager and as a secretary for Leo Epp Construction Company in San Francisco, CA. Elizabeth worked for Lindwall Motors and the Iron River High School Principal’s office. She also taught typing and shorthand for the Community Schools night classes in Stambaugh, Iron River, and Crystal Falls. Elizabeth married Richard Proksch on December 11, 1943 in San Francisco, CA while he was stationed at the Navy Pier. In 1946 they returned to the area and made their home in Stambaugh and at Hagerman Lake. The couple enjoyed wintering in Sebring, FL. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2004. Richard preceded her in death on August 28, 2005. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Iron River where she sang in the senior choir, and was a Sunday School teacher and treasurer. Elizabeth was also a member of LCW, ELCW, the Stambaugh Women’s Club, the Twilight Golf League, and the Bridge Club. She enjoyed sewing, golfing, playing bridge, traveling, and spending time with her family. Elizabeth is survived by her son, Russell (Cheryl) Proksch of Wilson, MI; daughters, Beverly (Jim) Birdsell of Effingham, IL, and Ginny (John) Allison of Loveland, CO; 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and 6 great, great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was also preceded in death by her son, Ronald Proksch; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Gerald Bobula; infant grandson, Timothy Bobula; brothers, Adrian and Theodore Reijonen, and sisters, Ruth King, Edith Lindwall, and Doris Klinesmith. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 12:45 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church, with Pastor Bonny Kinnunen to officiate. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery in the Spring. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fannie Elizabeth Proksch, please visit our flower store.