Helmi Rutkowski 96 of Ontonagon passed away Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital's Long Term Care Unit.

She was born on April 9, 1911 in Diorite, MI to the late John & Anna (Pasanen) Horma.

Helmi particularly enjoyed her home and her beloved great grandchildren Mathew Strong of Ontonagon and Patrick and Christian Cortright of Houghton.

She is also survived by her daughter Karen (Carl) Lahti, her granddaughter Julie (Lahti) Cortright of Houghton, sister Sally Kemppainen Phillippi of Bayside Nursing Home in L'Anse, nephews Michael (Roberta) Maki of Calumet, Dennis (Linda) Kemppainen of Lynchburg, VA and niece Nancy Eliasson of L'Anse.

Helmi was preceded in death by her first husband Matt Saari in November of 1967, her second husband Otto Rutkowski in September of 1992, her sister and brother-in-law Sonja & John Maki of L'Anse, brother-in-law John Phillippi of Pelkie and her niece Kathy Miron of L'Anse.

Graveside services are planned for the spring at the Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon and will be announced at a later date by the Cane Funeral Home.

Friends may view Helmi's obituary and leave condolences at canefuneralhome.com.