Violet E. Lehtinen

Violet was born Jan. 10, 1933, in Norway, daughter of the late Fred and Emma (Rabitoy) Bianchetti. She grew up in Merriman with her father, Fred, and stepmother Grace. She attended Breitung Township Schools and was part of the Kingsford Class of 1952.

Violet had a strong love for the Lord and her church. While in Crystal Falls, she was a member of the United Lutheran Church. She was also a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church during her time in Kingsford. She read her Bible daily and would pray for anyone who asked, or even if they didn’t ask if she felt they needed prayer. If she said I’ll pray for you, that meant right now.

Violet loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren very much and spent her life blessing them with her love. She also loved her brothers and sisters, her parents, her cousins, and her many friends. Violet liked to go “bumming” as she would call it. She traveled frequently to visit family in multiple cities and states. Violet never had much money but always worked hard to pay her bills, take care of her family, and give to others in need. She sacrificed much to raise her children, often going without so they would not.

Violet loved to cook and host meals. She was well known in local circles for making the most delicious home-made baked beans and her family’s favorite — her spaghetti sauce. She never turned anyone away from the dinner table or a place to stay if they needed it. Violet loved to play cards with anyone who wanted to play. Her favorite games were smear, Skipbo, 500 Rummy, 31, cribbage and, in her younger days, a little friendly poker. Violet was outgoing and never met someone she wouldn’t start a chat with or greet with a friendly smile. There were no strangers in her life, only friends she hadn’t met yet. Violet is a retiree of the Crystal Manor in Crystal Falls, where she worked serving the elderly as a laundress for 27 years.

Violet is survived by her son, Kenneth Lehtinen of Charlotte Hall, Md.; her daughter, Judi (John) Bjork of Crystal Falls; two brothers, John (Betty) Bianchetti and Eugene “Geno” Bianchetti; a sister, Grace Cardullo; six grandchildren, Christopher (Kim) Bjork, Gregory (Kara) Bjork and John (Kim) Bjork, Anthony Lehtinen, Nicia (Will) Smith and Joanna Lehtinen; seven great-grandchildren, Millie, Macie, Maddie, Morgyn, Owen, Jane Violet and “Poppy” Bjork. Violet is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews including her niece, Debbie Bilgalke, who was always there for her especially in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; four brothers, James “Jimmy” Bianchetti, Robert “Bob” Bianchetti, Ken Bianchetti and Fred Bianchetti; and a sister, Mary Fitzpatrick.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, at the United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor D.J. Rasner officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Iron County Medical Care Facility Auxiliary.

Condolences to the family of Violet E. Lehtinen may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.

The family has entrusted Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.