Obituary: Angeline Junttila

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Angeline Junttila of Lake Linden, Michigan passed away peacefully on June 19, 2023, at the Omega House after a short illness.  Angeline (Angie) was born Angeline Mary Phelps on February 5, 1928, in Brandon Township, Oakland County, Michigan to Milton Roger Phelps and Helen Helga Viohkola.  After Angie’s father passed away, her mother moved the family in approximately 1936 to Laurium, Michigan, close to where her mother had been raised.

Angie graduated from Calumet High School in January 1946.  She met the love of her life, Carl Junttila, in the fall of 1948 at the Cozy Corner in Laurium, Michigan.  They married on May 5, 1951 in Detroit.  After high school, Angie worked as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell Telephone Company in Calumet and Detroit until they started a family. She loved her friends at Michigan Bell (The Bell Girls).  In 1971, she returned to work at Armstrong Department Store as a sales clerk in the ladies clothing department which she thoroughly enjoyed. 

After the birth of their first 5 children, Angie and Carl moved from Detroit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where their youngest daughter was born. They lived in Cedar Rapids until retirement when they returned to their beloved U.P. They both became regular fixtures at many of the Calumet High School athletic events to watch their grandnieces and grandnephews compete.

Angie enjoyed her and Carl’s home on Big Traverse Bay, Lake Superior, including dipping into the lake after a sauna even in to her 90s.  Angie especially enjoyed any activity involving her loving family, such as attending many weddings and wedding and baby showers for extended family members. She loved playing Scrabble especially with her sister-in-law, Margaret, or anyone else that was up to the challenge.  She thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Carl, Margaret, and other family members.

Angie was preceded in death by her parents Milton and Helen Phelps, her husband Carl Junttila (July 2006), as well as her brothers and sister, JoAnn (Bob) Matheson, Harvey (Betty) Phelps, and Delmar (Lorraine) Phelps.  Angie and her sister JoAnn remained very close throughout their lives. 

Angie is survived by her children Janet (Tom) Johnson of Lisle, IL, Sharon (Don) Greenwood of Naples, FL, JoAnn (Steve) Bracker of Albert Lea, MN, Bill Junttila of Hancock, MI, Patty (Matt) Steitzer of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Judy (Scott) Kacena of Cedar Rapids, IA.  She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren, Ben (Liz) Johnson, Laura Johnson, Daniel (Ashley) Greenwood, Katie (John) Leever, Matt Bracker, Peter (Bridgette) Bracker, Nathan Junttila, Mike Junttila, Ellen Junttila, David (Amy) Novak, James Novak, Sarah Novak, Sam Kacena and Abby Kacena, 12 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandaughter and numerous nieces, nephews and their families, all of whom will miss her loving kindness and thoughtfulness.

A service for Angeline Junttila will be held at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, Michigan on Monday, July 3rd at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:00-11:00 am at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at the Lake View Cemetery following the service and lunch. 

Erickson-Crowley-Peterson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Omega House 2211 Maureen Lane Houghton, MI 49931 or First Apostolic Lutheran Church 23550 Veterans Memorial Hwy Calumet, MI 49913.