Salome Marie Holmio

Salome Marie (Makela) Holmio, age 78, of 319 S 3rd Street in Escanaba, beloved and irreplaceable mother, nanny, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher, passed away Tuesday morning, August 27, 2019 at Lakeview Assisted Living Facility in Gladstone.

Salome was born March 12, 1941 in Marquette, MI, the daughter of Eino and Laila (Leek) Makela, and spent her childhood growing up in Covington, MI. She graduated from L’Anse High School in 1959. She went on to receive an Associate’s Degree from Suomi College in 1961 and in 1963 received a Bachelor’s Degree from NMU. That same year she and Aarne, the love of her life, became engaged. They married in Salome’s hometown of Covington on June 14, 1964 and together had 3 children and 6 grandchildren over the course of their 45-year marriage.

Salome began her teaching career in Calumet, MI and went on to teach in Hancock, MI. The last 25 years of her teaching were with the Escanaba School System until her retirement in 2004. It was at Lemmer Elementary School that she became friends with a group of truly amazing teachers. After their retirement, they began lunching every week and nicknamed themselves the “Lemmer Buddies.” They were more than just buddies; they portrayed the true meaning of friendship. Even in the last couple of years, when Salome’s health kept her from going out, they faithfully came to visit every week until the day she died.

Salome was the epitome of the perfect mother and nanny. She lived for her children, grandchildren, and the many other kids that came into her life. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay and there was always room and enough food at her table for anyone who wanted or needed a meal.

Salome Marie Holmio is survived by her 3 children, Matt (Renee) Holmio of Rapid River, Alicia (Bill) Scheeneman of Escanaba, and Andy (Heather) Holmio of Menominee; 6 grandchildren, Paige, Violet, Jace, Lulu, Kamden, and Aarne; in March of this year she was blessed with her first great-grandson, Clark;  her sister, Sue (Dave) Grimes of Marquette; brother, Jon Makela of Marquette; sister-in-law, Ruth Koski of Virginia, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Salome was preceded in death by her husband, Aarne; her parents, Eino and Laila; 1 sister-in-law, Judy; 2 brothers-in-law, Bob and Bill; and one niece, Barbie.  

Visitation will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 30, 2019 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Salome will follow at 5:00 p.m., Friday, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba with Rev. Dave Van Kley officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the Escanaba Township Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Salome Marie Holmio, please visit our floral store.