Melvin “Mel” Luokka

He was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Hurontown, a son of the late Hjalmer and Lempi (Jaakola) Luokka. Mel was raised on the family farm in Obenhoff. He graduated from Jeffers High School in 1955.

Mel was a veteran having served with the United States Army in Germany.

Following the service, he moved to the Detroit area and also to Wisconsin to work. He then returned to the Copper Country and attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University, where he received his degree in Social Work.

On Oct. 20, 1979, he was united in marriage to the former Florence “Skeezix” Matton.

Mel worked with his brother Marvin to transport cars for Marvin’s car business, “Marv’s Cars”. Mel had worked for U P Oil as a fuel oil delivery person, Heritage Manor in Houghton as a Housekeeper before beginning a career working at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock (currently Canal View). He retired after 30 years of service for the Medical Care Facility as an Orderly and then in the Housekeeping Department.

Mel loved to read, watch the Detroit Lions and Redwings, and even loved to scoop snow. He loved to be outside and to be working on his outdoor projects. He kept up on news of the time and loved to discuss it. Most days after work, you could find him at the original Kaleva Cafe, enjoying the company of his coffee buddies and his brother Marvin. After his retirement, he made his way around town daily, from going to get senior coffee at McDonalds, to people-watching on the benches at Walmart. He was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Preceding him in death were his brother Marvin, his in-laws: Mary Luokka, Leslie Lindrus, Dan Buse, his nephew Eric Luokka, along with his parents.

Surviving are his wife Florence Luokka of Atlantic Mine, his daughter Katie (Wade Smith) Luokka of Atlantic Mine. His siblings, Ruth Lindrus, a resident patient at Portage Pointe in Hancock, Jean Luokka, a resident patient of Mission Point in Hancock, David Luokka of Swartz Creek, MI, His In-laws: Sara Luokka of Dollar Bay, Rose Buse of Burlington, WI, Mary Matton of Racine, WI. Several loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mel’s family would like to thank the staff at Canal View, UPHS Portage, and Dr. Bonnie Hafeman for their extraordinary care.

A graveside service for Mel will be held later this spring in the Liminga Cemetery.

To view Melvin’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.