IRONWOOD, Mich. – Matt D. Wuorinen, 80, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Centre in Ironwood.

He was born on July 2, 1931, in Wakefield, the son of Matt Walfred and Saima Salina (Johnson) Wuorinen. Matt graduated from Wakefield High School in 1950.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. PFC Wuorinen was honorably discharged on April 1, 1954, and was the recipient of the Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

On Dec. 27, 1952, Matt married Leona M. Sampson in Wakefield.

He loved bowling, enjoyed all sports and knew no strangers.

In earlier years, Matt was a pinsetter at the Lakeview Inn in Wakefield, and worked for Netz Glove Co. in Ironwood. In later years, he was employed by White Pine Copper Co. as a foreman, as a nurse's aid for the Brown County, Wisconsin, mental health facility, and as a security guard for the Green Bay Packers stadium.

Matt is survived by five children, Rita (John) Mewbourn, Ironwood, Jill (Jim) Matazel, Bessemer, Joy (Dave) Cormier, Wakefield, Scott Wuorinen, Oshkosh, Wis., and Holly (Mark) Pospeck, Bessemer; 8 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth (Beverly), Bloomington, Minn., and Jerry (Ann), Wakefield; three sisters, Irene Hewitt, Ironwood, Eleanor (Chester) Turula, Ramsay, and Linda (Hans) Anderson, Bloomington; his sister-in-law, Jean Wuorinen, Ironwood; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Matt, on Aug. 3, 1979; his mother, Saima, on April 3, 1981; his wife, Leona, on Jan. 30, 1979; a grandson, Curtis Mewbourn, on Oct. 26, 1987; a brother, Leslie, on July 8, 2010; and a stepsister, Viola Winkka, on March 31, 2011.

A celebration of Matt's life will be held at a later date.

The memory of Matt will never be lost to those who were lucky enough to know him.

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