Rose Bernice Hillstrom

Rose Bernice Hillstrom, age 75, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at her home in Menahga, MN after a courageous eight year battle with cancer. Rose was born March 30, 1938 to Jacob and Fannie (Finnie) Knuuttila in Houghton, Michigan. She grew up on the Knuuttila family farm near Oskar on the shore of Lake Superior. Rose attended the Redridge country school, and graduated from Houghton High School in 1955 at 17 years old. She moved to Detroit, MI in 1956 and worked as a secretary for Chrysler Corporation. Rose met the love of her life, David Hillstrom and was married to him in 1958. Together they raised 15 wonderful children. They lived in Detroit until 1973, and then moved to Novi, MI where they lived until retirement. Rose took great joy in raising her children and making sure everyone was always well fed and cared for. The hallmark of the Hillstrom home was the open doors, where everyone was always welcome. Rose passionately enjoyed crocheting countless blankets for her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved tending to her many plants and flowers. The Christmas Cactus Plants from her childhood are still in her home today. Rose loved children, and worked for the Novi school district as a daycare provider for about 10 years. In 2006, Dave and Rose retired and moved to their childhood home area in the "Copper Country". They spent seven years enjoying the beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula, and hosting visits from their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along with many friends. They traveled extensively during their retirement years, including trips to Finland, Israel, Greece, Italy, Ecuador, Florida, Arizona, and Alaska. They also made many driving trips to Detroit and Minnesota. Their last trip together was this past summer where they drove to Spokane WA to visit friends and relatives, and attend LLC summer services. Due to Rose's illness they settled in northern Minnesota recently to be near family. She is survived by her husband, David, and fifteen children, Kevin (Carol) Hillstrom of Corcoran MN, Brian (Patricia) Hillstrom of Greenfield MN, Sharon (Ron) Skoog of Menahga MN, Linda Hillstrom (Kevin) of Ottawa Hills OH, Peggy (Karlo) Hillukka of Menahga MN, Douglas (Beth) Hillstrom of Hanover MN, Brent (Kathy) Hillstrom of Buffalo MN, Scott (Rachel) Hillstrom of Menahga MN, Jane (Nathan) Carlson of Keller TX, Mary (Dave) Rigo of Novi MI, Aaron (Susie) Hillstrom of Menahga MN, Beth (Paul) Huhta of Howell MI, Keith (Karen) Hillstrom of Menahga MN, Kurt Hillstrom of Menahga MN, Carrie (Scott) Haataja of Menahga MN. Siblings, Ruth Salo of Hancock MI, Rachel Heikkinen of South Lyon MI, Robert (Lois) Knuuttila, of Oskar MI, Regina (Dave) Juntti of Big Traverse MI, sister-in-law Jeanne Knuuttila of Negaunee, MI, and many nieces and nephews, 82 Grandchildren: Derrick, Daniel, Sarah, Tricia, Gloria, Paula, Nels, Anna, Ethan, Kirstie, LuAnn, Janel, Brandon, Jaclyn, Lindsay, Brita, Kayla, Tina, Heidi, Jordan, Cody, Leah, Michael, Kenneth, Amber, Brianna, Laura, Ruthann, Amy, Julia, Maria, Kristy, Levi, Jody, Brett, Jacob, David, Logan, Katelyn, Jessica, Mitchell, Charles, Robert, Jack, Hanna, Nathan, Emily, Zachary, Alex, Tara, Gavin, Anders, Isaac, Garrett, Elizabeth, Valerie, Benjamin, Vanessa, Dawson, Nicole, Jared, Juliana, Ellie, Charles, Kylee, Mariah, Kendra, Brendon, Eric, Megan, Grant, Bria, Reid, Wyatt, Eli, Lars, Olivia, Henry, Jolene, Alyssa, Wayne, George and 37 Great-Grandchildren, also a host of friends and brothers and sisters in faith. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Fannie Knuuttila, two brothers, Raymond Knuuttila and Reynold Knuuttila, sister-in-law, Laila Knuuttila, brothers-in-law, John Salo and Doug Heikkinen, three grandchildren, Amanda Hillstrom, Lucas Hillstrom, Adam Hillstrom, one great-grandchild, Bridget Sorvala. Rose was an inspiration to her family, and all who knew her. She will be missed. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga with prayer services officiated by Jon Bloomquist at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Sunday, September 15, 2013 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga with Jim Frantti officiating. Paul Huhta will serve as organist with congregational singing and special music provided by her grandchildren. Active Casketbearers will be her sons Kevin Hillstrom, Brian Hillstrom, Douglas Hillstrom, Brent Hillstrom, Scott Hillstrom, Aaron Hillstrom, Keith Hillstrom, and Kurt Hillstrom. Interment will be at Menahga City Cemetery.