Helen "Rachel" Kinnunen Haney age 95, lifetime resident of Ontonagon, Michigan, joined her loved ones in heaven on Friday, May 11, 2007. She was born on January 12, 1912, in Woodspur to her Finnish parents Kalle and Anna Liisa "Pyykonen" Kinnunen. As one of six children Rachel was the last surviving member of her family. She attended the Woodspur school and Ontonagon High School.

As a young lady Rachel went to work for Mr. and Mrs. Edward Welles in Lake Forest, Illinois as their live in cook/chef. Their daughter Emelie has fond memories of watching Rachel paint her nails to go out on dates. She also loved eating pickled herring and drinking coke in the kitchen after school. While in Lake Forest she met and married Hubbard Haney on May 29, 1948. He died of a stroke on September 11, 1956.

The Welles always gave her the summers off. She made two trips to Finland to visit relatives. She also traveled to Washington state to visit her brother Wayne, her sister-in-law Eileen and their children. When she wasn't traveling she spent the rest of her summers on the family farm in Woodspur. Favorite memories of our family visits with Auntie Rachel and Uncle Charlie are: learning how to feed the chickens, how to gather eggs, eating her many wonderful meals and enjoying the freshly painted two-seater.

After more than 30 years of her dedicated work for the Welles family they gave her a new Dodge Dart. After her retirement she returned to the family farm in Woodspur to live with her brother Charles. Paul Wallo was her special companion of over twenty.years. Betty Honkala has been a friend of over fifty years. They spoke by phone daily. Auntie Rachel celebrated her Finnish heritage by converting her chicken coop into her own private museum.

Rachel was a member of Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. She was a past member of the Kaleva Lodge and held various offices. She enjoyed years of performances with the Kitchen Band. She sang as well as dressed up in a variety of different costumes depending on the season or the theme. Rachel also was very active with the Ontonagon County Historical Museum.

Auntie Rachel is survived by her four nieces, Marlene (Jim) Lehman, Carol (Larry) Bell, Jayne (Roscoe) Turner, Diane Kinnunen, her nephew Wayne Kinnunen, and her cousin, Sulo Juntunen. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hubbard Haney, her companion, Paul Wallo, her parents, her three brothers, William, Charles and Wayne, and her two sisters, Martha and Elsa.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, May 19th at 3:30 p.m. at the Siloa Lutheran Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call at the church 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Rockland. In Lieu of flowers those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to Siloa Lutheran Church.