Paavo K. Nurmi

Was born September 8, 1936, in Enso, Finland. He was the youngest son of Veikko and Emma (Palm) Nurmi.

At a young age, Paavo was evacuated from their home during the Winter and Continuation Wars in Finland. He spent his early years living in several areas of Finland. He immigrated with his family to Michigan in 1955 and was married to Nancy Mayry on March 12, 1960.

He was a tool and die maker by trade but had numerous other talents. During his working years, he always had time to be in the Upper Penninsula at his cabin on St Martin’s Bay and retired there in 1999.

Paavo loved his Finnish heritage and much of his life revolved around it. He was an avid woodcarver having recently received the Michigan Heritage Award for his carving of traditional Rukinlapa (spinning wheel distaff). Paavo was an excellent dancer and spent many years doing Finnish Folk dancing with the “Hoijakat Folk Dancers”

He was a member of St James Lutheran Church and a life member of the Finnish Center Association and the Rudyard Historical Society.

Paavo was preceeded in death by his parents and brother, Kaarlo Nurmi. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Kristine (Charles) Bullock, sons Jeffrey (Rachel Mercer) and Kevin (Linnea) Nurmi and grandchildren Charles (Mary) Bullock, Amanda (Marvin) Vanover, Joshua (Nicole) Bullock, Esa, Timo and Paavo Nurmi (his namesake). He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, Ethan, Jonathan, Jeremiah, Chloe, Isabella, Ella, Ruby, Jaxson, Sophie, Angelica and Dominique, brothers-in-law Henry Aukee and Willard (Sheila) Mayry, many nieces and nephews and countless others who knew and loved him.

Funeral Services will be Friday August 6, 2021

St James Lutheran Church, Rudyard MI

10 am visitation with service at 11 am.

Internment immediately following in Rudyard Township Cemetery

Memorials to St James Lutheran Church, Rudyard MIchigan Or Finnish Center Association, Farmington Hills, MI.