BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. - Nancy Sharon Ojaniemi, age 77, of Bruce Crossing, passed away at home on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, after a culmination of health issues.

Nancy was born on May 13, 1947, in Ironwood, a daughter of Edwin and Sylvia (Anderson) Haataja. Nancy graduated from Bergland High School with the Class of 1965. Nancy was the eldest of 10 children. At one point or another, 8 out of her 9 younger siblings lived with her and her family.

After high school, Nancy raised her family and worked at multiple establishments in the area including (but not limited to) Tulppo's, Gramma Grooters and Perttu's Big Spruce Golf Course. Nancy enjoyed golfing at Big Spruce up until its closure and participated in the women's golf league.

In 1982, Nancy married Armas Ojaniemi of Bruce Crossing. This September would have been their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Nancy loved to garden and kept the yard blooming with a variety of flowers. She also filled the yard with birdfeeders for her and Armas to watch the birds.

Most people will remember Nancy by her creativity with all the beautiful crafts, crocheted hats and gloves, Christmas decorations and everything else she created – long before Pinterest. She kept Armas busy hunting for craft supplies. Some of her last proudest moments were the hundreds of likes and comments she received on Facebook craft groups, which she had to personally respond to and thank
every one. She was a talented artist and loved to draw and paint, everything, especially her house.

Family and friends will remember that Nancy loved a good ghost story. Before her health problems, she enjoyed spending time at Camp Woodtick and thrift shopping all over the area with her husband.

Nancy leaves behind her loving husband, Armas Ojaniemi; daughter, Tracy (Alex) Metas; daughter, Pamela Malnar (Dan Kudlaczyk); son, Michael (Ruth Anne) Malnar; daughter, Vicky Malnar; daughter, Kristin (Justin Wonsey) Ojaniemi; grandchildren, Jordain (Jorge) Salas, Mark Malnar, Andrew Metas, Allyson Metas, Anthony Metas, Erin Pletzke, Beth Pletzke, and Jesse Pletzke; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jamin,
Joseph, Jonathan, Jianna, Aiden and Adeera.

Nancy is also survived by her brother, Charles (Debbie) Haataja; sister, Pixie (Mike) Daggett; sister, Kerry Cronkright; brother, Lawrence Hash; sisters-in-law, Kristen Haataja, Donna Roberts, Sandra Augustine and Mary Anne Nurmi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Sylvia; siblings, Thomas Haataja, Jack Haataja, Jerry Haataja, Elaine Hash and Robert Hash; grandson, Justin Malnar; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Nurmi, Harold Roberts and Dan Haltug.

Nancy's wishes were to not have a public service. A celebration of life for family will be planned at a later date. The family would like to thank all the nurses who helped during her hospice care over the last couple years.

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.