LYDIA GRANT, 97, of Bergland died Friday, February 26,2010, at the Aspirus Long Term Care after a very short illness. The former Lydia Lungi was born December 4, 1912, in Calumet, daughter of Gustav and Kaisa Lungi. She Married Kenneth J. Grant of Alston in 1932. They moved to Calumet in 1941 where Ken was appointed a Michigan Conservation Officer. In 1942 they moved to Wakefield and then in 1948 to Bergland where they remained for the rest of their lives.

She is survived by children Lois (R. Paul) Funke, Ontonagon; Edna (Mario) Caramella, Bergland; Mary (Sig) Hokens, Ewen; Clarence Grant, Marquette; and a good friend, Irene Hokens, of Matchwood.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ken, two sons Kenneth G. Grant and Lloyd Grant, two sons-in-law, John Strancel Sr. and Donald Maki; two grandchildren, John Strancel, Jr. and Jane Wiggin, and great-granddaughter Sheila Taylor, as well as six sisters and four brothers. Lydia had 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and nine great -great grandchildren.

Lydia and Ken worked hand-in-hand when Ken became a Conservation Officer. He handled the field duties and she took care of the mountains of paper work required. During these years it was very common to see a law enforcement vehicle in front of her house with the officers in the house enjoying her strong coffee, delicious bakery, or good full course meal-no matter the time of day or night.

She had an extremely strong faith in Christ and was an active member of the Bergland Methodist Church teaching Sunday school for 27 years. She was also Sunday school superintendent and Ladies Aid president among other offices and, being extremely proud of her Finnish ancestry, she taught the Finnish language for the Bergland Community Schools. She also served 16 years on that school board. Active in many community organizations, she was a member of the Lake Gogebic Senior Citizens, the Bergland Historic~ Society and a worker for the Red Cross and other charity organizations.

In her later years she became an accomplished artist and found time to write a very comprehensive history of Bergland. She was very proud of her duties as a US Army Air Corp volunteer during World War II.

Lydia loved the out-of-doors. She downhill and cross country skied into her late 70's and kept up her nature walks until recent years. She loved feeding the birds and displaying her flowers on the front porch of her home. This probably accounted for her choice of headwear. She was famous for her many, many colorful hats that she wore wherever she went. But, most of all, she loved her husband and her large family.

Lydia was known for her extreme kindness and total lack of criticism of anyone, no matter what the person may be like. One of her favorite sayings was, "Everyone has good in them. It is not for me to judge." She will be missed.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 5th at 2 p.m. at the Bergland United Methodist Church ? with Pastor Ted Trudgeon officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the start of the service. Dennis Brown of the Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Lydia's obituary may be viewed and condolences left at canefuneralhome.com.