WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Evert A. Kivi, 93, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.
Evert was born on May 4, 1931, in Wakefield, a son of John Axel and Lydia Wilhelmina (Rippinen) Kivi. He graduated from Wakefield High School.
Evert proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a supporting member of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.
On April 14, 1956, Evert was united in marriage to Phyllis A. Laverdure in Wakefield. They were blessed with two children.
Evert worked at Kimberly Clark and concluded his working career at White Pine Copper Mine. He retired at the young age of 58.
Evert took several trips down south; however, there was no place like home. He enjoyed visiting with his coworkers from White Pine and other great friends he made at the Randall Bakery in Wakefield. Most of all, Evert loved spending time outdoors and going to his hunting camp, where he found inner peace watching the deer and other animals. He also was a skilled trapper.
For many years, Evert went fishing on Lake Superior with his son and looked forward to going to the cottage on Beatons Lake to fish and taking in the tranquil beauty of the lake. He relished his shopping trips and rides around the area with his daughter.
Evert is survived by a daughter, Carolyn (Dave) Danula, of Wakefield; a son, Paul (Sue), of Watersmeet; a granddaughter, Maria Rose Kivi; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Phyllis, on May 19, 1999; five brothers and a sister-in-law, Leo, Sulo, Wihlo, John (Virginia) and Ero; three sisters and three brothers-in-law, Viola (Uno) Maki, Aili (Victor) Paque and Laila (Robert) Vandenbush; and a very special friend, Patricia "Pat" Pensala.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m., at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield. The Rev. Brittany Barkus, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, will officiate. Full military rites will be accorded.
A special thank you to the staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility for the compassionate care they gave to Evert.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.