Ethel May Kanniainen, age 90 years, died February 10, 2018 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ethel was born March 21, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Amanda (Aho) and Ralph Berry. In her youth she loved big band music, dancing and shoes. During WWII she worked as a teletype operator for Western Union. She married 'my soldier' and childhood sweetheart Yalmer Kanniainen in February 1946 upon his return from the Philippines. She met Yalmer at the Calumet home of her grandparents in the Upper Peninsula. Their families had maintained close ties after immigrating together from Puolanka, Finland. Ethel and Yalmer made their home in Dearborn, Michigan. After years at home raising her three children, Ethel converted part-time temp work into a full-time position with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. She began as a typist in the editorial department and retired as supervisor of the circulation department for the Society’s technical journal, an achievement of which she was very proud. Upon retirement, they traveled and built new homes in the Upper Peninsula, northern Wisconsin and Traverse City, reveling in being part of new communities. After Yalmer’s death in 1986 she continued to travel in the U.S. and wintered in Arizona and Florida. In 1991 she put down roots in Dexter, Michigan to be near her family. Throughout her years she was a strong, loving person who gave of herself unstintingly. She was an avid follower of politics, delighted in movies, read constantly and used her computer to keep current with her now widespread family. Never idle, she was a skilled quilter and knitter. There are many beautifully crafted coverlets, afghans, baby blankets and booties that have warmed the recipients with the love she put in every stitch.
She is preceded in death by her husband and two sisters Patsy and Muriel. She is survived by her brothers Ralph and Mike Berry and numerous nieces and nephews. Her love and legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her son, Kenneth (Karen) and daughters Nancy (László Boros) and Karen (David) Keller. Her grandchildren Lisa Kanniainen, Áron Boros (Hillary Mull), Ádám (Ntsako) Boros, Kendra (Mike) Means and Anna Liisa Keller. Her great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Julia, Isaac, Masana, Andani, and Logan.
Her memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m. at Webster United Church of Christ in Dexter, Michigan; Pastor Marcia Meabon officiating. She will be buried next to her husband at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek. Memorials in her name may be given to Webster UCC, which she considered her family's spiritual home, or to Gilbert Residence Assisted Living in Ypsilanti where she resided for the last two years of her life.
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