Martha Mary (Kuismi) Ollanketo

Martha Mary (Kuismi) Ollanketo, 81, formerly of Marengo, Wis., passed away with her loving family by her side on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 16, 1931, in Menahga, Minn., the daughter of William and Saima (Typpo) Kuismi.

Martha moved to Minneapolis at age 17 to work. She married Elden Ollanketo on June 4, 1949, in Menahga, Minn. The couple farmed in the Ashland area before moving to Marengo where they dairy farmed for many years. Martha worked at LP in Mellen for 19 years, retiring at age 65.

Martha was an active member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Marengo. She volunteered at Memorial Medical Center, Ashland Historical Museum and the Senior Center in Ashland. Martha enjoyed visiting with family and friends and loved nothing more than to be with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her seven children, Charlotte (Howard) Rengo of Esko, Minn., Michael (Debra), Martin (Wendy), Myron (Pam), Matthew (Brenda), all of Marengo, John (Teresa) of Ashland and Christina (Brian) Erkkila of Maple. She had 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Leonard (Luella) Kuismi, sisters, Ellen Santi and Irene (Floyd) Harvala, all of Menahga, Minn., and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elden in 1984; a brother, Onni; sisters, Sally, Ingrid and Lylli; and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A funeral service will be held Noon, Monday, July 16 at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church, Marengo. Interment will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Marengo.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 15 at the Roberts Funeral Home in Ashland. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Regional Hospice of Ashland.

View this obituary online, sign the guest book or express online condolences at bratleyfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

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