Iron River-Elizabeth “Liz” Ponozzo, 88, of Iron River, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at the Freeman Nursing Home, Kingsford, Mich.

She was born on October 27, 1929, in Stambaugh Township, Mich., the daughter of the late Axel and Mary (Nikkola) Raiha and graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1947. She married Leonard Ponozzo on October 25, 1950. He preceded her in death in August, 2005.

Liz was very proud of her Finnish heritage. She attended almost every Finn Fest in the United States up until a few years ago. She had many relatives in Finland and traveled to Finland five times during her lifetime. Travel was her passion. She traveled around the world twice. She visited many countries and took her two granddaughters to Europe. Her favorite excursion was in 1987 riding the “Trans-Siberian Railroad” from Beijing to Moscow with her sister Anna Morgan.

Liz loved to read, knit, crochet, weave rag rugs, and visit the Iron County Museum whenever they had anything going on. In 1970 she became the first female to be the magistrate in Iron County under Judge Konstenius. She was Deputy Treasurer of Iron County and after many years she retired from the Department of Natural Resources.

Her family was the love of her life. She also cherished the many people she considered her friends.

She is survived by a daughter Linda (Michael) Shoquist, of Iron Mountain, Mich.; son Donald (Annette) Ponozzo, of Plainwell, Mich.; two granddaughters Carly Shoquist and Lindsey Shoquist of Iron Mountain, Mich., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her granddaughter, Emily Jean Shoquist, her brothers, David and Lauri, and sisters, Anna Morgan, Ida Cochennette, Eva Wurzer and Carol Mehlberg.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Iron River, Mich. A celebration of her life will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Mike Laakko will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to the Iron County Library, the Iron County Cancer Unit and the Iron County Museum.

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

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Liz’s legacy of life.