Dorine Poikonen

"Dorine Poikonen" IRON MOUNTAIN - Dorine M. Poikonen, 86, of Iron Mountain, formerly of 317 Dickinson Blvd., Kingsford entered into the presence of the Lord on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain in the presence of her children. Mom was born in Wallace on March 10, 1919, daughter of the late Emil and Olga (Johnson) Newlin. She spent her growing up years in Wallace along with her brothers and a sister and many close relatives in the vicinity. Mom's home always was full of fun, family, lot's of Christian principles and love for music. There she acquired the talent of playing the piano and later the organ. She loved to also sing, especially songs of faith. Dorine graduated from high school in Wallace and later began to work as a maid for the Hamilton family. A while later, she was introduced to Rudy Freeman of Iron Mountain at a local Bible camp, and soon after they were married on August 23, 1940. Mom and Dad made their home in Iron Mountain, where their family started to grow. In 1951, the family relocated to Racine, Wis. for work but later, returned to Iron Mountain where they remained until Rudy passed away in 1978. Mom spent several years alone living in Bob's White Birch Village when at church she met and married Carl Poikonen. Mom always prided herself on her Swedish heritage and marrying a Finlander with such a wonderful sense of humor which yielded a home full of laughter and plenty of jokes. Carl passed away years later causing a move for Mom to Hulst Manor in Iron Mountain where she resided until one year ago after a fall, causing a move to Freeman's Convalescent Home. She is survived by her oldest son, Marvin (Sandy) Freeman of Daltona, Fla., Sheldon (Linda) Freeman of Breitung Township, and Joyce (Mark) George of Grand Haven, lower Michigan. She also leaves her best friend and sister, Bernice (Newlin) Lundquist of Grand Haven, lower Michigan. Even though distance separated them, every weekend the phone lines burned hot with giggles and catch up news between the sisters and daughter, Joyce. Distance never became a barrier with Mom and her family. Mom was so proud of her six grandchildren, Chris (Brenda) Freeman of Mt. Pleasant, lower Michigan, Jason (Elesha) Freeman of Mt. Pleasant, Bonnie (Matt) Johnson of Kearns, Utah, Andrea George of Grand Haven, lower Michigan, Byron Freeman of Houghton, and Kevin Freeman of Kingsford. She also bragged on her five great-grandchildren, Josiah and Israel, Emma, Micah, and little Noah Freeman. Another precious bundle is coming real soon, baby Johnson. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Rueben Newlin of Appleton and Rev. Roy Newlin of Iowa. Mom was a member of the First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain, where she was very active in choir and the Covenant Women's group for many years. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Dan Wheeler will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gideon Bible organization. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dorine Poikonen online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Dorine Poikonen

June 15, 1919 - June 15, 2005