Raymond Wallace Niemi

Hancock

     Raymond W. Niemi, 80, a resident of Hancock passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his home following a short illness.

     He was born on January 30, 1943, in Hancock, a son of the late Wallace and Lillian (Kero) Niemi.  Ray was raised in Stanton Township and attended the Liminga and Redridge Schools before graduating from the Houghton High School with the class of 1961.  Mr. Niemi then attended Suomi College before receiving his teaching Degree from Northern Michigan University in 1970.

     Ray was a veteran having served with the United States Army during the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crisis.

     Mr. Niemi began a career in education teaching in the Park Ridge School District in Park Ridge, IL and then the EB Holman School.  During that time he was proud to have received UP Teacher of the Year and also the Copper Country Association of School Boards-School Service Award.  Ray has also taught hunters safety and was a boaters safety instructor for many years.  He also was the Houghton County Drain Commissioner for over 20 years.  Mr. Niemi was active in the community with the Isle Royale Boaters Association, Michigan Public Schools Retirement Association, NRA, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Whitetails Unlimited, The South Range Snowmobile Club, and the former Hancock Lions club and former Hancock Elks Lodge.

     Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother: Michael and a nephew Thomas Burge Jr.

     Surviving are:

          His sister: Phyllis (Thomas) Burge of Manistique, MI

          His brother: Kenneth (Carolyn) Niemi of Atlantic Mine

          His sister-in-law: Susan Niemi of Hancock 

          Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

          A special friend Susan Dekeyser of Houghton

    A funeral service for Ray will be held 11:00 am Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with Pastor Mark Halonen to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Liminga Cemetery.

     Friends may call on Friday, March 10, 2023, from 6 to 8:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service Hancock Chapel and on Saturday from 10 am until time of services at the church.              

     To view Ray's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

     In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorial contributions be given to the Isle Royale Boaters Association or to the charity of one's choice in memory of Raymond Niemi.

     The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.