Elizabeth Etelamaki, 91, of Iron Mountain, formerly of Escanaba, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2015, at Freeman’s Rehabilitation Center, Kingsford, Mich.

She was born January 8, 1924, in Princeton, Mich. daughter of the late Victor and Lempi (Pertula) Pelkola.

Betty grew up in Gwinn and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1943. She married Levi Etelamaki on December 28, 1945, and they resided in the Marquette area for many years. They moved to Lansing, Mich. in 1965, and later to Hancock, Mich. finally retiring in Escanaba in 1985. He preceded her in death on March 21, 1999. Betty was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Escanaba.

She enjoyed flower gardening, hockey, classic cars and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty is survived by one son, Raymond (Katherine) Etelamaki, Glenview, Ill.; one daughter, Peggy (Russell) Watt, Iron Mountain; two sisters, Lillian Walters, Fla. and Irene Bourne, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, Tauno Etelamaki, Negaunee, Mich. and Kenneth Burkman, Marquette; two sisters-in-law, June Pelkola, Princeton and Arlene Keskimaki, Gwinn; five grandsons, Raymond Etelamaki, Jr., Bradley (McKenzie) Etelamaki, William (Elisa) Etelamaki, Jeremy (Sarah) Watt and Joshua (Robyn) Watt; nine great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Watt, William R. Watt, Kalvin Watt, Jadyn Watt, Ian Watt, William Etelamaki, Lincoln Etelamaki, Cooper Etelamaki and Lucas Etelamaki and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Levi, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ina Ontto and Martha Husczco and five brothers, Jack, August, William, John and Robert Pelkola; two special nieces, Shirley Hedstrom and Diana Abramson and several other brothers and sisters-in-law.

Our mother was a sweet, gentle woman who loved her family.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 18, 2015, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, 4:00 p.m. at the church. Rev. Lori Liverance will officiate. Burial will be in Gwinn Cemetery, Gwinn, Mich.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Betty, or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Betty's Legacy of Life.