H. Elizabeth (Betty) Parske

H. Elizabeth (Betty) Parske 89, a resident of Laurium passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2014, at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, where she had been a patient since November of 2008.

She was born on December 27, 1924 in Allouez, the daughter of the late William and Hannah (Jarvela) Karjalainen and was a life long resident of the Copper Country. She attended the Allouez Township Schools, and was an honor graduate of Calumet High School. Post graduation she was employed by the Merchants and Miners Bank in Calumet.

On July 3rd, 1948 she was united in marriage to P. Reuben Parske in Allouez, and he preceded her in death on June 23rd, 2008.

She was also employed for many years as a legal secretary for Reino S. Koivunen Attorney-at-law, and the legal firm of Vairo, Mechlin and Tomasi from where she retired, both in Calumet.

She was a lifelong member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet and was active as a Sunday School Teacher. She was an avid hockey fan, and spent countless hours watching her husband participate throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. As a young woman, she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader. Mostly she enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband P. Reuben, her parents, four brothers, Raymond, Wesley, William, and John, two sisters, Verna and Norma, and a brother William and sister Martha, both of whom passed away as infants. Surviving are two sisters, Marie (Mrs. Philip Cooper) of Florida Location, and Dorothy (Mrs. Arthur Lassila) of Rowlett, Texas, a son David of Homer Glen, Illinois, three grandchildren Paul (Leslie) Parske of Irvine California, Jon (Katherine) Parske of Scottsdale, Arizona and Katrina Parske (Chris Mandurano) of Trevor, Wisconsin, three great grandchildren, Christian, Connor, and Lars as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 18, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet with Pastor Dave Taivalkoski to officiate.

Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet on Friday from 4-8 PM and at the church from 10-11:00 AM on Saturday.

Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery.

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