IRONWOOD, Mich. – Norman Kelto Niemi, 81, of Wakefield and Cincinnati, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Wakefield on Aug. 16, 1931. Norman was the son of Nestor and Hilda (Kelto) Niemi; brother to Harold Niemi, Esti Wacker and Patsy Tibor; and husband of Joan (Sundheimer) Niemi. Joan died in 2008.


He attained the rank of Sergeant while serving in Korea with the 1169th Engineer Combat Group. Norman rarely spoke of his time in Korea, but remained deeply patriotic his entire life.

He studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati while working for a local furniture and design company. After graduating, Norman began teaching at UC, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1992. He was so admired by his students, many still kept in touch. Norman hosted visiting professors and families from Finland, creating lifelong friendships.

Between trips escorting his students to Scandinavia and Russia, he took a summer off to backpack around Finland visiting the farms and churches of his roots. Norman walked from Helsinki to Lapland, mostly sleeping in a tent with a reindeer hide blanket. He had learned Finnish as a child and enjoyed sharing stories with others at Little Finland.

After his retirement, Norman spent increasingly longer times in Wakefield, joining the Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, NC100 Bike Tour, National Stock Outboard Race committees and volunteering at the Wakefield Visitors Center. He preferred to celebrate the achievements of others than talk of his own. An avid fisherman, Norman enjoyed many fishing trips in Michigan, Florida and Tennessee with friends and family. His favorite activity, though, was being pilot, navigator and chief instigator of innumerable road trips with family around the Upper Peninsula.

In his 81 years, Norman treasured above all his family and friends. He will forever he missed by his sister, Esti; daughter, Lorinda (Lori); son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Valerie; the rest of his cherished family; and all his dear friends.

There will be a gathering Thursday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield to share stories and memories. Military rites will be held at the funeral home at 1 p.m., under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard.

A celebration of his life will be announced in the spring to bring together local and out-of-state friends and family.

To honor his memory, please consider a contribution to Wakefield Historical Society, P.O. Box 114, Wakefield MI 49968 or The Cincinnati Observatory Center, 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati OH 45208.

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