Obituaries

Hanna Lupan of St. Ignace passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the age of 100.

Johanna was born March 1, 1922, to John and Alma (Saari) Marttila on the family farm in Liminga, Michigan. Both of her parents emigrated from Finland and Finnish was Hanna's first language. Hanna was the ninth of fourteen children and graduated from Hancock High School in 1939.

Hanna married Nicholas Lupan on November 11, 1950, in Detroit and they made their home in Troy. In 1967 they purchased the Holiday Park Motel in S.t Ignace and moved here in the spring of 1968. They were in the motel business for 28 years; selling it in 1995. Nick and Hanna raised two nieces, Betty and Shirley. Hanna came from a hardy gene pool as she stayed physically active until well into her senior years. She walked the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day 31 years. She enjoyed golfing, walking, bowling, cross-country skiing, water aerobics, saunas, watching Jeopardy, doing cross-word puzzles, playing Pinochle, and winning at scrabble.

Hanna was an active member of the Straits Evangelical Free Church in St. Ignace. She was the organist and was always willing to help and contribute when needed. Her Finnish pasties and prune tarts were a favorite at potlucks. She has resided at Evergreen Living Center since 2017. She enjoyed life but talked about ELC being the last stop between living here and Heaven. As time went on she looked forward to reaching her Final Destination and getting to see Nick and her Sweet Jesus!

Hanna is survived by one sister, Laila Evans of North Carolina, and a brother, Ray (Juliana) Marttila of Liminga. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins in Finland, and close friends, John and Debbie Garcia and their family.

Hanna was preceded in death by her husband Nick in 2001, her parents, and 11 siblings. A service to celebrate Hanna's life is being planned for Saturday, June 10, in St. Ignace at Straits Evangelical Free Church.

Burial will be at Gros Cap Cemetery. Galer Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace, Michigan is assisting the family with arrangements.