CHASSELL—Susan Rae Kangas, 63 of Chassell, died July 17, 2018, at home with her family by her side from Lewy Body Disease. She was under the good care of Asprius hospice since May 15, 2018. She was born in Ontonagon, MI on January 8, 1955, to the late Brynolf and Elvie (Kero) Rautiola.
She lived in the Mass City area, for her first five years. Susan graduated from Midland High School in 1973 and from Northern Michigan University in 1978 with a BA in Accounting. She worked a short time at Kimberly Clark, Munising, MI and at UPPCO Houghton, MI and several part-time jobs (Isle Royale Natural History Association, Midwest Loan Services, Superior Accounting) while moving around supporting her husband’s career with the National Park Service.
Her primary job was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Susan was united in marriage to Larry Kangas on November 18, 1978, and together they raised three sons and two daughters. She lived three summers in Munising, a winter in Everglades N.P., a summer in Rocky Mountain N.P. and four years in Tennessee and Kentucky at Big South Fork National River and Recreation area, before moving back to the U.P. to Grand Marais, Mi for four years.
She then lived in Hancock, MI for ten years with summers on Isle Royale, before moving to Chassell with nine more summers on Isle Royale before retiring along with her husband. She enjoyed nature, being outside hiking, paddling, snowshoeing, skiing, camping, berry picking, gardening and time with the family. She was able to enjoy seven years of retirement before her illness.
Susan was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton. Susan is survived by her sister Cathy (Tom) Page of Naples, FL; her husband Larry, and her children, Amy (Matthew) Zimmer of Chassell, Matthew (Diane) Kangas of Atlantic Mine, Brad (Loretta) Kangas of Laurium, Laura (Andy) Heikkinen of Wasilla AK, and Derek Kangas of Chassell; grandchildren, Bryson, Alaina, Kylee, Trevor, Reid, Karmyn, Brienna, Parker, Troy, Carson, Kangas, Clare, Karl, Nora, Lena Zimmer; mother-in-law Carolyn Kangas of Howell, MI; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law Eli Kangas and sister/brother-in-law Pamela and Gary Pietila.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018, in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Houghton with Pastor David Taivalkoski officiating. Friends may call on Thursday, July 19, 2018, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Houghton and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery.
The Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be viewed and signed at memorialchapel.net.
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