Helen A. Savela, 91, a resident of Mass City and, since 2004, Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Long Term Care unit, passed into eternity on March 9, 2012. She was born in Firesteel, rural Greenland, MI, on October 4, 1920, "The year women got the right to vote", as she would fondly recall. Helen was a first generation American, the youngest child of Jacob and Anna Marie (Moilanen) Ahola. She graduated salutatorian in 1939 from Greenland Township High School, after which she worked in the Chicago area.

On March 1, 1941, she married Fred M. Savela and together operated a dairy farm in rural Mass City for 20 years. Fred preceded her in death in 1971. In later years Helen worked as a cook at the Northland Restaurant in Mass City.

Helen was a member of Wainola Lutheran Church and the local senior citizens group. She loved to continue learning, taking classes in history, working cryptograms, crossword puzzles and playing cards or Scrabble with friends.

Surviving are four children: Robert Savela of Daytona Beach, FL, Jeanne (Frank) Gourneau of Twin Lakes, MI, Sandra (Jack) Sipola of Misery Bay, MI, Barbara (Joe) Francis of Atlantic Mine, MI. Nine grandchildren: Thomas Savela of St Petersburg, FL, Jeremy Savela of Ormond Beach, FL, Frank (Lindsay) Gourneau Jr of Walled Lake, MI, Shelly (Eric) Smith of Fishers, IN, Danielle (Jason) Gourneau-Houle of Beloit, WI, Ryan (Elizabeth) Gourneau of Euless, TX, Kristi (Mark) Weber of Nashville, TN, Erica (Matthew) Johnson of Arden, NC, Michael (Sandy) Francis of L'Anse, MI. Eight great grandchildren: Jason, Hope and Jacob Smith, Ryan Francis, Asher and Lola Gourneau, Eliza and Annalise Johnson, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by an infant daughter, four brothers: William, Urho, Elias, and Edward (Felix) Ahola, three sisters: Aili Kangas, Lempi Monette, Anna Honkala.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 19, 2012, at Wainola Lutheran Church in rural Mass City with Pastor Michael Laakko officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until 1:00, the time of service. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Greenland, MI.

Arrangements are being handled by Cane Funeral Home, Inc. in Ontonagon, MI.