Obituary of Margaret Bernice Hiltunen

Margaret Bernice Hiltunen, 83, passed away on March 16, 2017 in Marywood, Benedictine Living Center, Duluth following a brief struggle with cancer. Margaret was born on Nov. 10, 1933 in Vermillion Lake Township to Finnish immigrants Henry and Anna Knutti Hiltunen. She was the youngest of 12 children in a farm family which established the Pine Hill Dairy. Margaret graduated from Embarrass High School and earned her occupational therapy Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 1955. She held positions with the Veterans Administration in hospitals in Pueblo Colo, Battle Creek Mich., and St. Cloud Minn., before returning north to complete her career working 27 years in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leonard, Toivo (Bill), Arvid, Edward; and sisters, Elsie, Emily (Chester) Kangas, Elma (Hugo) Hanka, Hazel (Harvey) Mattson, Helia (John) Murphy and Evelyn (Robert) Hendrickson. She is survived by sister, Edna (Herb) Lamppa; sister-in-law, Maryann Hiltunen; 22 nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Margaret's very special companion Patches misses her each day; Margaret would be comforted to know special friends and neighbors Greg and John continue to provide pet care. Our family thanks the Benedictine staff and St. Luke's Hospice for their compassionate care in Margaret's final weeks. Memorials may be directed to St. Luke's Hospice, 220 N. 6th Ave. E., Duluth, MN 55805. (Place Margaret's name on memo line of check for acknowledgement.) VISITATION: 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service on Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Zion Lutheran Church, 2022 E. 2nd St., Superior with Pastor Victor St. George officiating. Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200