HURLEY, Wis. – Hilja A. Hanganen, 97, formerly of Wakefield, Mich. and Ironwood Township, Mich., died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

She was born on Oct. 4, 1915, in Wakefield, the daughter of Jacob and Amanda (Nasi) Harju.


On Aug. 25, 1934, Hilja was united in marriage to William J. "Bill" Hanganen in Wakefield.

In 1965, they moved to Lake Forest, Ill., and were caretakers and did domestic work. Hilja and Bill also helped a family in Lake Geneva. After retirement they returned to Wakefield and lived in Tula for several years, and then moved to Ironwood Township.

Hilja is survived by a daughter, Maxine (Ed) Doney, Karnes City, Texas; three grandchildren, Sheila (Craig) Lau, Rhinelander, Craig (Robin) Doney, Ironwood Township, and Dean Hanganen, Racine; a brother, Eric Harju, Dothan, Ala.; a sister, Julia Lyons, of California; her brother-in-law, Alvin (Joyce) Jarvinen, Winona, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Shirley (Ray) Holmes, Wakefield, and Ellie Jarvinen, Cortland, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill, on Feb. 24, 2006; a son, Roy, on Aug. 20, 1992; and several brothers and sisters.


Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:30 a.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield, with her brother-in-law, Dr. Ray Holmes officiating.

Committal services and burial will take place in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.