Norman Kilpela, 73, a resident of Fulton passed away unexpectedly in a house fire on Friday December 16, 2016.
He was born on August 27, 1943 in Fulton to Urho and Alice (Cardinal) Kilpela.
Norman attended the local schools, and at a young age he and his siblings went off to work on the family farm.
Norman worked as a diamond driller for the Longyear Company for several years. He often said, he was the quickest driller at the entire company.
Norman loved to work and repair cars. He had a heart of gold, and loved to help other people out. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone that ever needed it. His house was open, and his coffee pot was on 24/7.
He was also a teaser and a jokester. He could win a checkers game after you made the first move. He knew that board inside and out.
He loved to spend time with his 2 grandkids. They were the love of his life.
In 1973 he married Marianne Trembley in Alabama.
He was a member of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.
Norman is preceded in death by his parents, Urho and Alice, daughter Julie, 3 brothers; Dave, John “Chousy”, and Ardel “Mannie”, and sister, Betty.
He is survived by:
Son: Paul (Jennifer) Kilpela of Calumet
2 grandchildren: Landon and Aili
Brother: Gordon (Kathy) Kilpela of Iron Mountain
Sister: Maryann Beck
Sister-in-law: Donna (Charlie) Ryan of Laurium
Niece; raised as a daughter: Bev (Fred) Luoma of South Range
Niece; raised as a sister: Carol (Rick) Freeman of Hancock
And Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home on Wednesday December 21, 2016 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jay Weidner to officiate. Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet on Wednesday December 21, 2016 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
The family would like to express a special thank you to all the fire deparments, police departments, Mercy EMS, Houghton and Keweenaw County Emergency Management Team, Kilpela neighbor Marty, and the Salvation Army for everything they did.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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