Trudy Lee (Niemi) Luukkonen

Trudy Lee Luukkonen, age 74, of Trenary, died Friday morning, May 21, 2021 at her home under the loving care of her family and UP Home Health and Hospice.  She was born on April 10, 1947 in Munising to William and June (Shepley) Niemi.  Trudy grew up in Trenary and was a cheerleader throughout high school.  She graduated from Trenary High School in 1965.  Trudy went to cosmetology school at Northern Michigan University.  She married Eino “Luke” Luukkonen on May 14, 1966.  Their daughter, Cheri, was born and Luke went to Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Air Force.  When he returned home, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio for a couple of years and then to Chicago, Illinois.  Their son, Chris, was born in Illinois and Trudy and Luke raised their family there. After Luke’s retirement from Delta Airlines, they returned home to Trenary and resided in Trudy’s childhood home.  She was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Trenary.  Trudy was a wonderful homemaker and had an eye for interior decorating.  She had beautiful flower gardens and enjoyed the outdoors.  Trudy was a wonderful “Nan” to her grandchildren, and they shared a strong love for each other.

She is survived by her husband of over fifty-five years – Luke Luukkonen of Trenary; daughter – Cheri (Jeffrey) Dzik of Beach Park, IL; son – Christopher (Danielle) Luukkonen of Trenary; grandchildren – Zachary, Lucas, Loreal, and Bailey; great-grandson – Landon; brother – Richard Niemi of Milwaukee; and nieces and nephews.  Trudy was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and June, and her brother, William Niemi, Jr.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and also on Friday, May 28, 2021 at the First Lutheran Church in Trenary from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.  Pastor Rell Spickerman will conduct Trudy’s funeral at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in the Mathias Township Cemetery in Trenary, Michigan.