WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Delores Elsie Salli, 84, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, June 27, 2017.

Delores was born on Nov. 8, 1932, in Wakefield, a daughter of Waino and Jennie Marie (Johnson) Hill. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1951.

Elsie was an active member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, a faithful member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084, and a devoted member of Little Finland Cultural Center in Kimball, Wis.

She took great pride working in her flower garden and absolutely adored her puppies, Wendy, Chelsea and Bailey.

Elsie spent many happy hours quilting at her church and playing cards with her family, especially Smear and a Finnish card game, Koira.

She loved being surrounded by her family. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter brought Elsie immense joy.

She was a very supportive and loving caregiver to her mother, uncle and aunts in their elder years.

Elsie is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Waino; a son, Michael, Wakefield; a daughter, Barbara Chiapuzio, Ironwood; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Chiapuzio, Ironwood, Michelle (William) Taylor, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jack (Jennifer) Chiapuzio, Howell, N.J.; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Eleanor (Richard) Kuula; three sisters-in-law, Rauha Salli, Betty Salli and Nancy Salli; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; a son, David, in 1956; her son-in-law, Jack Chiapuzio, in 1992; a sister, Dorothy Sordahl; a brother, Donald Hill; three sisters-in-law, Fannie Wehmas, Rauha Ylitalo and Vieno Sivula; and three brothers-in-law, Tarmo Salli, Arne Salli and Oiva Salli.

In accordance with Elsie wishes, cremation will take place.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 25, from 10 to 10:45 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., in Wakefield, where a ladies auxiliary program will follow under the auspices of the Wakefield Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.

A celebration of Elsie's life will take place at the church at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

Luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.

A committal service and inurnment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, who provided comfort and loving care to Elsie while she was a resident.

Special acknowledgements are given to Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wis., Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis., and Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland, Wis., who provided care and assistance to Elsie.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.