Marian Hill Marian Florence Hill, 76, of Sault Ste. Marie, formerly of Rudyard, was a professional secretary and later a librarian, working locally for Cloverland Electric Cooperative and Rudyard Area Schools Public Library. Mrs. Hill died Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Sault Ste. Marie, surrounded by her family.

She was born May 30, 1932, in Rudyard to Victor and Ottyl Jaana (nee Marjanen) Aho. She was reared by her parents and by Eino Henry Niemi and Ann Evelina (nee Aho) Niemi, living with her parents in the summer and with Mr. and Mrs. Niemi during the school year.

Following graduation from Rudyard High School, she attended Suomi College in Hancock, studying in the secretarial program. She worked as a secretary in Washington, D.C., and then returned to Sault Ste. Marie, where she worked for Cloverland Electric Cooperative.

She married Wesley Anselim Hill October 23, 1954, at St. James Lutheran Church in Rudyard. They made Rudyard their home while their four daughters grew up. After the girls were grown, Mrs. Hill worked as a librarian for Rudyard Area Schools Public Library, retiring in 1992.

Mrs. Hill has made Sault Ste. Marie her home since 1994.

She was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church, Suomi Circle, a Finnish Bible study group, Lutheran Church Women, and the church choir.

Mrs. Hill was a accomplished seamstress, sewing many of her daughters' clothes. She also enjoyed knitting and reading. She was known for her playful sense of humor, optimism, and faith.

She is survived by four daughters and their families, Pamela Ann Hill of Sault Ste. Marie, Vicky Lynn and Cecil Faircloth of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jeanie May Richards of Sault Ste. Marie, and Brenda Inez Donnelly of North Conway, New Hampshire; three grandchildren and their families, Alyssa Jean and Eric Clingenpeel of Ithaca, Heather Nichole Hill, and Lakeisha Alexis Richards, and one great-grandchild, Evan Joseph Gravelle. Also surviving are four sisters, Hazel Engle of Negely, Ohio, Helga Slosarik of Los Gatos, California, Helvie Rachel Aho of Los Gatos, and Irene Lahja Mourufas of Sault Ste. Marie, and two brothers, Swen Felix Aho of Charlevoix and Arnie Walter Aho of Cle Elum, Washington.

Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her husband, a great grandson, Bryce Anthony Gravelle, four siblings, Mauno Aho, Wilho Victor Aho, Elmer Aho, and Eino Ernest Aho; and a sister-in-law, Viola Eleanor (nee Hill) Hogle.

Services were held Saturday, December 20, at St. James Lutheran Church in Rudyard. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until noon with a Celebration of Life Service at noon.

Burial will be in Kinross Township Lakeview Cemetery in the spring.

Memorials may be directed to St. James Lutheran Church, 11112 Third Street, P.O. Box 156, Rudyard, Michigan 49780.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home of Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.