Helen Barkkari

Obituary of Helen Hilma Barkkari Chassell Helen Hilma (Komula) Barkkari passed away peacefully on January 18, 2006, at the Bluffs Senior Community in Houghton, where she had been a resident for five years. Born April 29, 1924, in Arnheim, Michigan, to Oscar and Anna (Wayrynen) Komula, she was the youngest of twelve children. At the age of fifteen, she moved to Chassell with her family, graduating from Chassell High School in 1941. After graduating from Burroughs Business School in 1943, she did office work and accounting for several years in the Detroit area. Following her marriage to Elwood F. (Woody) Barkkari on June 14, 1947, they lived in Kansas City, Missouri; and Midland, Texas; returning to Chassell in April 1950 to establish the Chippewa Motel. In January 1976, she purchased to Pow Wow Restaurant from her sister and brother-in-law Lydia and Fred Korpi, renaming it the Chippewa Restaurant. The restaurant and motel became a popular destination for tourists as well as local residents, and many visitors returned annually as the hospitality and assistance Helen provided turned guests into friends. Helen was a dedicated promoter to tourism, hosting travel writers from around the country and contributing to travel publications. She was a past president of the Copper Country Vacationist League, a member of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Lodging Association, and the Chassell Recreation Club. She was the recipient of the Keweenaw Tourism Council's Spark Plug Award upon her retirement in 1996. She lived in Bloomington, Minnesota, with her daughter and family for four years, and became one of the first residents of the Bluffs in Houghton when it opened. A lifelong member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, she also enjoyed the Ministery of Rev. David Weber at the Bluffs. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, a true supporter of her family's faith, education, sports and music. She treasured her friends, loved to travel, bowl, and dance, and did crossword puzzles in ink. She was preceded in death by her former husband, her parents, 6 Brothers: William, Eino, Jack, Waino, Earl, and John Komula, and 5 Sisters: Mrs. Ida Hilbert, Mrs., Ilene Juntttila, Mrs. Ann Lescelius, Mrs. Sylvia Aho, and Mrs. Lydia Korpi. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sue Ellen and Mark Kilchenman, granddaughter Gina, and grandsons Steven and John, all of Bloomington, Minnesota, sisters-in-law Martha Jacobs of Houghton, Betty Komula of Chassell, and Katy Komula of Chassell and many nieces and nephews. Her family gratefully acknowledges the loving care provided by the Staff at the Bluffs, Keweenaw Home Nursing & Hospice, and the Portage Health System. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell, with visitation from 4-8 P.M. on Friday January 20, 2006. A service celebrating Helen's life will be held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chassell on Saturday January 21, 2006, at 1 P.M. with Rev. Ted Koehl to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests contributions to the Chassell Township Schools, in memory of Helen. To view Helen's obituary or to send a condolence to the family please go to www.memorialchapel.net To send flowers to the family of Helen Barkkari, please visit Tribute Store