Age 95. Doris M. (Koskela) Heikkinen, a resident of Westland and Toivola, MI passed away at the Village of Westland on August 25, 2016.

Doris was born August 26, 1921, in Virginia, MN, the third daughter of Samuel and Olga Koskela, and in 1929, moved with her family to Floodwood, MN where her parents were the proprietors of the Floodwood Café.

Doris attended the Floodwood elementary and high school, graduating as an honor student in 1939. After one year at Virginia Junior College, she pursued a career in nursing at the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with an R.N. in 1943. After working as a staff nurse in Minneapolis and Detroit, she entered the field of Occupational Health nursing in 1957 at the Fisher Body Division of GMC, and served there 25 years, retiring December 31, 1982. However, her primary career was as a loving wife, mother and homemaker.

On June 26, 1948, John Heikkinen claimed her as his bride, and they assumed ownership of the present Heikkinen Estate, LLC. Two of their children, Linda and Peter were born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Hancock, MI. In 1953 the family moved to the Detroit area where they purchased a home in Westland, MI, and ten years later, their daughter Donna was born. After 30 years of employment, the couple returned to Toivola to enjoy their retirement years.

Doris and John were members of St. Mark's Ev. Lutheran Church of Toivola; St. John's Lutheran Church in Redford, MI (ELCA); and in their retirement, the South Range Apostolic Lutheran Church, where Doris served as organist for several years. She and John were also life members of the Finnish Center Association in Farmington Hills, MI and honorary members of the Heikkinen Estate, LLC.

Among Doris's interests and activities were the organization of an employee Christian Fellowship group at Fisher Body Plant in Livonia, MI; choir and other musical ministries in each church they attended; composing poetry and songs, some of which have been published; compiling family genealogies; membership in the Toivola Centennial Committee; coordinating the publication of the memorabilia displayed at the Centennial Celebration in 1992, the name of which book is "Pictures From The Past".

Doris was a member of the Swedish Hospital Alumnae Association of Minneapolis, MN and was honored to have her poetic tribute prominently featured in their recently published book A True Nurse, a pictorial collection of memories of student nurse days compiled and edited by historian, author Daniel Hoisington in 1994.

In 2004, Doris moved back to Westland, MI and was an active resident of the Village of Westland, winning a gold medal 3 consecutive years in a Village Victory Cup Competition at age 86.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Samuel and Olga Koskela, a brother, Wesley, an infant sister, her sister, Laura Koskela of Carolton, MN; her beloved sister Joyce Wennberg; her beloved husband John, a brother-in-law, Oswald ("Ray") Heikkinen, and four sisters-in-law, Helga Simonson, Ida Lehikoinen, Ellen Lampi and Irene Aho. Surviving are her 3 children and families: Linda (Rev. Dr. A. Raymond) Babin, of Romeo, MI; Peter (Anne) Heikkinen of Livonia, MI; and Donna (Jeffrey) Furton of Livonia, MI. Grandchildren surviving are: Kelly (Paul) Peterson of Alameda, CA; John Beehler of Romeo, MI; David (Sarah) Heikkinen of West Bloomfield, MI; Steven Heikkinen of Lansing, MI; Laura Heikkinen of Livonia, MI; Joseph (Stephanie) Furton of Livonia, MI; Andrew Furton of Livonia, MI; Susy Nixon of Powder Springs, GA; Scott (Michelle) Babin of Seattle, WA; and Anne Babin of Beverly Hills, CA. Her Great Grandchildren are Kalle Beehler of Macomb, MI; Julia Heikkinen, Rachel Heikkinen and Tara Heikkinen of West Bloomfield, MI; and Abigail Furton and Jacob Furton of Livonia, MI. Her step-grandchildren are Christopher and Erin Yonker of GA and Zachary Babin of Seattle, WA.

Funeral services Thursday, September 1st 11:00 AM at Celebration Lutheran Church, 9300 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48150 with interment at the Toivola MI Cemetery at a later date. Visitation Wednesday August 31st from 4-9 PM at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Ave., Farmington MI. Mountain View Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Celebration Lutheran Church, 9300 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48150, the South Range Apostolic Lutheran Church, 11 Whealkate Ave, South Range, MI 49963 or the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary, 916 Pine St., Hancock, MI 49930, the Heikkinen Estate LLC or the organization of your choice.