Gale Marie Kocher

Known and loved by many in the area for her years of service as a hospital radiologist and President of the Ontonagon County Fair, her loss will be deeply felt by all. After decades of valiantly coping with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, her family finds solace in knowing she is joining Pa (her father) in heaven.

Married for 39 years to her sweetheart, Gale was a loving and devoted wife to her husband Michael, an amazing Mother, Nana, friend, artist and proud Finn.

She grew up on a farm in Pelkie, where she learned to work hard and love animals. Animals of all kinds sensed Gale’s loving nature and would gather around her like Snow White – birds would eat out of her hand, dogs would follow without command, and her alpacas and llamas adored her and never dared to spit in her vicinity. Her service to the community echoed her late father’s, as Gale dedicated many years to the Ontonagon County Fair as President and later remained actively involved by proudly displaying her family’s alpacas, llamas and chickens as well as hosting art classes for the little ones.

Upon graduation from Baraga High School, Gale attended Michigan Tech to study biology and later completed her education at Good Samaritan School of Radiologic Technology. After completing school, she met the love of her life, husband Michael. Together, they raised their family on a small farm in Mass area. In the summer months, with Michael often deployed for weeks at a time working on wildfires as part of his job with the U.S. Forest Service, Gale shouldered the additional family responsibilities and kept things running with a true display of SISU. While her children were still young, she focused on raising the kids and corralling the animals. Later, when the kids were a little older, she returned to work part time as a Radiologist Technician eventually becoming a mammographer and leading the radiology department. She spent her career at Ontonagon Hospital caring for others.

Her artwork and photography, done under the name of Fox Road Farm, captured Gale’s eye for beauty in nature. Painting, carving, felting and even playing music on the traditional Finnish Kantele she made by hand at Suomi College, were but a few of her favorite ways to share the beauty she saw in everything. She was proud to live in the Copper Country and cherished all that Lake Superior had to offer. She especially enjoyed birds, old barns, and expressing her Finnish heritage, which a few years ago actually meant taking a trip to visit Finland with her Mom and sister. She also enjoyed attending local craft fairs with her sister, Sandy, to sell her art and alpaca products.

Gale was strong in her faith and shared that belief and strength with her family. Married to husband Michael at Wainola Lutheran Church nearly four decades ago, the years that followed saw both children and grandchildren married and baptized there.

In the tradition of multiple generations contributing to the growth and stability of a family, both Gale and Michael shared the joy of being closely involved with the lives of those they loved. Over the years in their East Branch neighborhood, there were skinned knees, tears, laughter, saunas, campfires, music, trampolines, farm chores, mosquito bites, deer season with challenges and triumphs, but above all, there was always love.

She will be truly missed.

Gale is preceded in death by her father, Ronald Moilanen. She is survived by her mother, Elaine (Tom) Moilanen, her husband, Michael, her sister Sandy (Jerome) Johnson, her children Christopher Moilanen, Stefanie (Richard) Lyke, Mathew (Nicole) Kocher, Erik (Kelsey) Kocher, and her grandchildren Henry, August, Anneliese, Brielle, Emma, Kasen, Lane, and Eliana.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Ontonagon County Fair Association or the Wainola Lutheran Church.

Burial will be at the Rousseau Cemetery in Bohemia Twp. on a date to be set for spring 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.