Katherine Lehto Celebrates 90th Birthday Party

Lee Michael Smith (from left), Katherine Lehto, Cassandra Darnell, and Katherine Lehto Babcock (in back) are four generations who have managed Lehto's Pasties over the 58 years since Mrs. Lehto pioneered the business with her husband, John Lehto. They gathered, with other family members and friends, to celebrate Mrs. Lehto's 90th birthday August 17 at St. Ignace. Others in attendance included Michael and Barb Lehto, Mrs. Lehto's sister, Ellen Exworthy of Traverse City, Jennifer Smith, and family friend Dan Smith, as well as residents and staff of Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care.

Friends and family gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Katherine Lehto of St. Ignace at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care Unit Thursday, August 17, 2006.

Mrs. Lehto, with her husband John Lehto, pioneered the Lehto's Pasties business on US-2 near St. Ignace 58 years ago.

Mrs. Lehto has been a hard worker for all of her life, said her daughter, Katherine Lehto Babcock, and has two children, Michael Lehto and Mrs. Babcock, both of St. Ignace, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

After a 20-year career on the state ferry boats before establishing the pasty business, Mr. Lehto died in 1996. Lehto's Pasties, known to locals and U.P. visitors for many years, is still family owned by Mrs. Babcock.

Her daughter, Cassandra Darnell, is teaching the family's fourth generation, Lee Michael Smith, the pasty trade.