IRONWOOD, Mich. – Victoria M. "Nona" Takala, 84, a lifelong resident of Bessemer, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Aug. 17, 2012, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, with her loving family by her side, after a brief illness.

She was born on Nov. 21, 1927, in Bessemer, the daughter of Vincent and Jenny (Pertile) Corullo. Vicky attended Bessemer schools and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in 1947.

On June 11, 1955, she married Henry R. Takala at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

Vicky was a member of St. Sebastian Parish, and at one time was secretary for the guild. She was proficient in sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Vicky worked at All Sports Fishing Pole factory in Harding Location, the Ben Franklin Store in Bessemer for seven years, Bessemer Plywood Corp. for 11 years, and Big Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort for 22 years, where she managed the cafeteria for 17 years.

Vicky is survived by a daughter, Jenny (Donald) Smee, Pence, Wis.; the "loves of her life," two grandchildren, Rebecca and Shaun; most important, two great-grandsons, Mason and Colin; a sister, Mary Rigoni, Hurley, Wis.; two brothers, Aldo "Cutso" (Phyllis) Corullo, Bessemer, and Peter (Margie) Fin, Minocqua, Wis.; a sister-in-law, Lenore Corullo, Bessemer; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry, on Nov. 17, 1980; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Dominic (Elsie), Albin and Joseph Corullo; and a brother-in-law, Chris Rigoni.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug. 24, at 10:30 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, with the Rev. Ben Hasse officiating.

Rite of Committal and burial will take place in Hillcrest Cemetery.

A lunch will be served in Father Swoboda Hall at the church following the cemetery service.


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