Irma A. Rintala

Irma Andrea Rintala, age 96, of Iron River, MI passed away December 19, 2014, at the Iron River Care Center, surrounded by her loved ones. Irma was born on June 3, 1918, in Daggett, MI to Finnish immigrants, the late Edward and Adrienne (Nordlund) Lehto. Irma, known as Dolly, grew up on a farm and walked three miles to attend a one-room schoolhouse. Having an adventurous spirit, at age 15, she rode in the back of a pickup to grace the Chicago World’s Fair with her presence. She graduated high school in Daggett in 1935. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and worked as a nurse maid in Highland Park, IL before returning to help with the family farm. On August 17, 1940, she married Neilo Rintala, in Daggett. The couple lived in Marquette, Escanaba, Amasa, and Lake Linden prior to moving to Stambaugh in 1954. Irma had an unwavering love for her Finnish heritage and was a devoted member of the (Finnish) Trinity Lutheran Church of Stambaugh. She was entrusted with the upkeep of the church for many years. Irma enjoyed spending all her summers with her family and friends camping at Perch Lake. As the matriarch, all her spare time was devoted to her family. Irma will lovingly be remembered by her daughter, Nina Johnson of Iron River, MI; son, Richard (Krystal) Rintala of Marquette, MI; grandchildren, Julie (Jack) Benson, Kathy (James) Anderson, David (Anastasia) Johnson, Teresa (Michael) Cimarelli, Shelby Johnson, Janine (Dane) Shovald, Richard Rintala, and Laurie Sayen; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Bradley, Jacob, Matthew, Scott, Cory, Kendall, Rusty, Christian, Halley, Lucas, Aaron, Addyson, and Taryn; great-great-grandchildren, Lexi, Eli, Alexis, Reegan, Brynn, Kollyns, and Jamison; and several nieces and nephews. She will fondly be remembered by all as our dear and sweet Granny. She was preceded in death by her husband Neilo in 1982, brother Edward and sister Gertrude Bear. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 27, 2014, from 10:30-11:15, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Iron River. Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Bonny Kinnunen to officiate. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls, MI in the spring. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irma A. Rintala, please visit our flower store.