Irma Burgan

Obituary of Irma Olga Burgan Bootjack Irma O. Burgan of Bootjack died on July 19, 2008 of complications from a fractured hip at the age of 97. She was born on June 3, 1911 in Astoria, Oregon, to Peter Karhu and Amanda (Toppala) Karhu, immigrants from Finland and Norway. Her parents returned to Centennial Heights in 1913 where she later attended the Centennial Heights School. During her early adult years she worked at the Nelson's Restaurant in Calumet. She was united in marriage to George L. Burgan in 1936. She spent the next 26 years raising her children. When her husband died in 1962, she took over the operation of radio station WHDF in Houghton that her husband had helped found in 1929. She successfully ran the station until it was sold in 1979. During her younger years she was active in several bowling leagues at Miller's Recreation in Laurium and the Copper Bowl Lanes in Ripley. She also golfed regularly at the Calumet Golf Club. In later years she devoted her time to caring for her home and garden. She was the last surviving member of her family that included brothers Kenneth, George, Lorimar and Jack (Valerie), and sisters Lileth, Dorothy (Carl) Hetzner, Esther (Jim) Jones, Marjorie and Zelda. A daughter, Dianne Read (Baby Dee) Burgan, died at the age of one year. She is survived by two sons: Roland (Mary) Burgan of Hancock and Read Burgan of Bootjack and several nieces and nephews and cousins and by Luke, a beloved border collie.. At her request, there will be no public viewing or funeral service. To view Irma's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net, The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Irma Burgan, please visit Tribute Store