Frances Elinor Alatalo

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Frances Elinor Alatalo, 89, of Pelkie, passed to eternal rest, Tuesday morning, March 6, 2007, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.

She was born September 20, 1917, in South Range, Michigan, a daughter of the late Herman and Jennie (Niemi) Alatalo. Frances was a 1936 Baraga High School graduate and Salutatorian of her class.

She worked for the NYA youth works until 1943 when she joined the Women's Army Corps and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia during WWII. Upon discharge from the service she attended Wayne State University in Detroit where she earned a Masters Degree in Psychology.

Frances was employed at Pontiac State Hospital and later at Newberry State Hospital as a clinical psychologist until her retirement.

She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, rock hunting, family reunions, the 4th of July Parade in Baraga and family get-togethers. Frances also wrote poetry, some of which was published. She co-edited and wrote poetry for a book, "North by Choice" which was published in 1998. She also enjoyed "round robin" writers from around the United States.

Due to ill health she moved to Alston in 2004 and later to Bayside Village in L'Anse.

Frances is survived by 2 sisters, Marianne Keranen of Alston and Rose Mathes of L'Anse; caregiver and niece, Kris Kasten of Alston; sister's-in-law, Elizabeth Alatalo and Emma Alatalo, both of Baraga and Millie Heikkinen of Milwaukee, WI; numerous nieces and nephews; and best friends, Donna Lucas of Escanaba and Mary Lou Baker of Newberry. She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Herman, John and Arvi and a sister, Selma Dompier.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 1 p.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse with Rev. John Autio officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. The Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct military honors. Interment will be in the Baraga Cemetery in the spring.