Margarette Aho 91 of Ontonagon passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2009 at her son's home in Gwinn. She was born in Mohawk on August 18, 1917 and attended the Calumet High School. She was the only child born to Katherine and John Pirkola.

Margarette married Andrew E. Aho in 1936 and worked at Burrough's Adding Machine in Detroit for several years. Margarette and Andy moved back to Ontonagon and made lifelong friends while building the family business, Andy's Cabins, on Lake Superior. Margarette and Andy enjoyed working together, always taking pride in making pasties and improving the property. Margarette had the good fortune of making a memorable trip to Finland in 1992, the birth place of her ancestors. Margarette was a soft-spoken person who had a deep love for her family, her church, her heritage, her home and her community. She will be remembered as a sweet, hard working, determined woman who had an amazing memory. Given her uncanny recall of every detail, she became a historian to many and she also loves to tell stories about the good old days, always choosing to dwell on the good in life though she could also remember the not so good. She had a generous love for many people; most especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and we will honor her by trying our beast to care for one another and by completing our chores, her constant and last two wishes. She was the longest surviving child of the Pirkolas and she even outlived the expectations of her physicians.

She was preceded in death by her husband Andrew in 1978, an infant daughter in 1951 and oldest daughter Carol in 1992.

She will be greatly missed by her surviving children, sons Andrew (Pat), Donald and David, daughter Peggy, extended family, numerous nieces, nephews and many others who knew her.

She would not want to leave our world without a special thank you to Drs. Austin and Kroll as well as her caregivers for the past ten years. They were all wonderful, compassionate cheerleaders and caregivers who, since 1999, gave her the gift of ten beautiful years. For Margarette, the best days were the days she saw here children work hard and get a lot done and she was exceedingly grateful for everything everyone did for her. And from the family, a special thank you to Pat, Georgia and Peggy for taking care of mom. Had it not been for there love, devotion and many sacrifices, mom would not have been able to stay at home, which was her greatest wish. Margarette loved the beauty of gardens so, in lieu of flower, we ask that you remember her when you share your own garden and flowers with those you love. Memorials may also be sent to the family.

Funeral services will be held Thursday April 16th at 5 p.m. from the Assembly of God Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.