Josephine Raisanen

Obituary of Josephine Raisanen Josephine Kangas Raisanen Josephine Kangas Raisanen left this world gracefully and peacefully on November 14, 2010, less than three weeks from her 98th birthday. She was born in her family home on Elm Street in Hancock on December 2, 1912, to Matti and Anna Liisa (Hyv?nen) Kangas, proud Finnish immigrants who grew up along the shores of Siikajoki in Rantsila and Kestil?, respectively. She was the second youngest child of the family and was able to live in the family home until 1999. Once managing that house became too difficult, she enjoyed the quiet country life near her daughter in Liminga. She spent her last years in the care of the fine staff in Delaware House of Portage Pointe in Hancock. She married Ernest William Raisanen in August of 1948. He preceeded her in death in December of 1994, 50 years to the day that he nearly lost his life in the Battle of the Bulge. Together they had one daughter, Kristin Liisa, and raised an adopted son, Ronald Steven. Ron preceeded her in death in February of 1997. Josephine was the last of her generation, and the brothers and sisters that left this life before her included Lydia Nordstrom, Arthur Kangas, William Kangas, Elizabeth Yonker, Helen Kangas, Sylvia Barker Satushek, Hulda Boltz, Sigrid Naasko, Miriam Zeigler, and Rachel Mullen Dixon. She is survived by her daughter Kristin Raisanen Schourek and her granddaughters, Sylvia Schourek and Anna Liisa Schourek, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren. She was a member of the first seventh grade class to attend what was then the "new" Hancock Central High School and graduated with the class of 1931. She went on to attend Northern Normal School in Marquette and later graduated from what would later become Wayne State University in Detroit in 1936 with a degree in Art Education. Josephine was a career teacher. Her first several years were spent at the Heikkinen School in Toivala, and she often said that those were the happiest years of her teaching life. She took time off from education to work in a B-24 bomber plant in Detroit during World War II and stayed at home for several years while her children were young. She taught in Redridge, Hancock, and Osceola, retiring from the Dollar Bay schools after many years of teaching Kindergarten and then first grade. Josephine kept her father's records and took pride in being the family historian. She wrote "The Kangas Family Story," a book that told the tale of her parents' early years in Finland and the evolution of their family here in the Copper Country. Along with her faith, her family was the focus of her life. She was a much loved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt and never missed a chance to participate in a family reunion. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, the Chassell DAV Auxiliary, the South Range VFW Auxiliary, and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. The family is grateful for the fine care Josephine received from all those who assisted her during her last years, as well as for all the kindnesses provided by her nieces, nephews, former students, and family friends. The Memorial Chapel in Hancock is handling the arrangements, and friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home this Friday from 4 until 7 pm. The funeral will take place on Saturday, November 20, at 11 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Pastors Gerry Southerton and Arvo Onermaa officiating. Visitation at the church prior to the service will begin at 10 am. To view Josephine's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. To send flowers to the family of Josephine Raisanen, please visit Tribute Store