Obituaries

Michael Edward Honkanen, age 66, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on October 31, 2023, at his home. He was born on October 1, 1957, in Detroit, MI, to James Edward and Beverly Ann (Riffel) Honkanen.

Michael grew up in Detroit until the age of ten when his family moved to Sault Ste. Marie. He graduated from Sault Ste. Marie High School in 1975. Michael started his career right out of high school, working for the Sault County Road Commission until he retired in 2008. In the early ’80s, he met his beloved wife Pamela and they married on June 10, 1983. Michael and Pamela welcomed two daughters who were the light of Michael’s life. He lived a full life in Sault Ste. Marie, devoting himself to all three of his “brown-eyed girls.”

It’s hard to sum up the legacy of such a wonderful man in a few, short paragraphs but he loved his girls, family, and friends with his entire heart. He would do anything for anyone at any time – no questions asked. He enjoyed all the outdoor activities the U.P. had to offer and took advantage of fishing, hunting, camping, snowmobiling and so much more, making long-lasting memories with his favorite people. Some of his favorite times were spent with friends on fishing trips to Wakami, Canada, weekends at the “Truckanen” hunting camp on Neebish Island and time on the beach at the “Honkanen Katu” in Brimley. He looked forward to visits from his girls, son-in-laws, and his grandchildren and wanted nothing but their happiness and laughter to fill the house.

It is known that Michael was dealt a hard hand with health struggles but thanks to his devoted wife, he was living the best life he could. He found joy in listening to music and going to the Christopher Columbus Hall in Sault Ste. Marie to sing and dance to his favorite band every Wednesday. Through all his memory struggles with a dementia diagnosis, he always remembered and looked forward to “listening to the band” every week. He also took pride in taking care of the deer which he lovingly referred to as his “pets” which were some of the best-fed animals in Chippewa County.

Michael is survived by his wife, Pamela Honkanen; daughters, Andrea (Dan) Eves from Lake Orion, Michigan and Ashley (Nate) Ward from Sherwood Park, Alberta; grandchildren, Connor and Corinne “Rinney” Eves, Cate and Lyla Ward; father, James Honkanen from Cedarville, Michigan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Audrey Johnson from Sault Ste. Marie; sisters, Diane Honkanen (Scott McGuinn) from Raleigh, North Carolina, Linda (Steve) Bryan from Brimley, Michigan; brothers-in-law, James (Lee) Johnson from Sault Ste. Marie, Christopher (Jamie) Johnson from Sault Ste. Marie and several nieces and nephews.

Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Honkanen.

Memorial services will be held on November 7, 2023, at Family Life Funeral Homes in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, from 10:00 A.M to 12:30 P.M with Funeral Service beginning at 12:30 P.M.