Wayne "Kaki" Niemi

Wayne "Kaki" Niemi 83 of Mass City passed away Friday, April 24, 2020 at the Omega House in Houghton following a courageous battle with cancer. Wayne was born in Lake Mine to Richard and Martha Niemi on April 3, 1937. He attended school in Mass city and graduated in 1955. Following graduation he worked in the woods, in construction, and joined the Army from 1960 - 1962, serving in Berlin, Germany. He was a member of and worked as a construction carpenter for the Michigan Carpenters' Union, retiring in 1994. 

On July 31, 1992 he married Donna Pawlowski of Baraga, and they moved to Mass City in 2000. Wayne was an avid fisherman, partner in the Poor Eye Hunt Club, active member at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mass City, Quarter Master for the  East Branch VFW #4267, Ontonagon DAV volunteer van driver, and a member of the Thursday Night Men's Bowling League in Baraga. He was a Detroit Tiger's baseball fan, a Detroit Red Wings hockey fan and a good friend and visitor to many in the Mass City area.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Donna; children: Rick (Jacqueline) Niemi, Jennifer (Michael) Eacker, Liisa Lawrence and step-children: Tom Pawlowski , Jill (David) Riley, David (Nancy) Pawlowski, and Kristine Pawlowski; ten grandchildren, Paige, Logan, Corey, Jaelyn, Eric, Sam, Tony, Donna Beth, Nikolas and Emma; two great grandchildren, Megan and Ava Grace; brother Eino Niemi (Sharon Koski), sisters Lois Burt, Bernice Huotari,  and Judith (Peter) Hiltunen; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Darlene Ross, and step son Peter Pawlowski.

Burial Service and  Military Rites will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 1pm at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Greenland, MI.

Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon is assisting the family.

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