Carole H. (Saari) Ahola of White Pine went to be with the Lord on November 20, 2011.

She was born in Ironwood (Bonnie Location) on July 11, 1940 and attended Luther L. Wright High School, marrying John (Jack) Barnabo in 1960, raised three children and worked as a secretary for both the Forest Service and the Look-Up Workshop in Hurley. She cared for him until his death in 1981.

She married Jack Ahola in 1984 and moved to White Pine where she was a homemaker and co-owner of a successful clothing store, Personal Touch. When the White Pine Mine closed, they relocated to Iowa in 1993 as her husband was employed by a mining company in the Quad Cities. They returned to White Pine upon his retirement in 2005. There she continued to be a wonderful friend and shining light in her favorite community. Her life in White Pine was about fun, friendships and cooking, especially with her best friends, Becky and Tom LeMay.

Carole is survived by her devoted husband, John (Jack) Ahola; her puppy, Phoebe; her sons, Larry (Corrie) Barnabo (Hudson, WI) and John Barnabo (Menasha, WI); her daughters, Lauri Barnabo (Frank)Hill (Dallas) and Jane Ahola (Scott) Maierle (Green Bay); and two beautiful granddaughters, Halle Barnabo and Sherri Maierle. She is also survived by brother-in-laws, Donald (Arloa) Barnabo, Robert (Kathleen) Barnabo, Ed Ahola, Byron (Marta) Ahola and many nieces and nephews.

She was a loving and doting mom to her puppy, Phoebe, who during her illness was a great source of joy and comfort to both she and Jack.

She is preceded in death by John (Jack) Barnabo, her late husband; her parents, Larry and Lucille (Anderson) Saari; brothers, Larry Jr. "Butch" (Liz) Saari and John Saari; and infant sister, Betty Ann.

Carole took immense pride in creating a happy home and so loved her beautiful tree-lined surroundings, that her wish was to be cremated and have her ashes scattered along the wooded lot line of her back yard.

A memorial service and scattering of her ashes will take place at a later date, based on the anticipated recovery of her friend, Becky, and the ability of the LeMay family and her "snowbird" friends to be able to attend and celebrate her life.

An announcement will follow regarding the date of the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (710 Chippewa Square, #201, Marquette, MI 49855 or www.alz.org) or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the amazing and caring staff of Aspirus Hospital in Ontonagon, MI, who provided Carole with tremendous care and were all an incredible blessing to her and her family.