Martha Evangeline Bylkas

Martha Evangeline Bylkas, 91, of Esko, died Thursday, November 7, 2002 at the home of her daughter. She was born June 25, 1911 in Philipsville, MI to William and Lydia (Wesala) Uitti. Martha was the 1927 Valdictorian of Lake Linden High School, MI and in 1929 received a life certificate to teach elementary school from Northern State Teachers College (now Northern Michigan University), Marquette, MI. Martha received her bachelors degree in education from UMD in 1969. She taught in Cooks and Lake Linden, MI schools from 1929 - 1936. From 1956 - 1972, she taught in the Scanlon, Washington and Churchill Schools. Martha married Ernest Bylkas on December 27, 1934 in Michigan. She was a member of Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko, served as the Ladies Group Treasurer and was the church organist in the days of the pump organ; served as the treasurer for the Esko PTA; a member of the Esko Fair Board, the Esko Senior Citizens and the Carlton County Retired Educator's Association. Martha was a very patriotic person and considered voting her civic duty. She voted in every election since the age of 21, including the election held this last Tuesday. She enjoyed her sons' and granddaughters' basketball games, watching the Minnesota Twins, baking, crocheting and knitting mittens, baby sweaters and other treasures for her numerous great grandchildren, family and friends. Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Ernest, on October 5, 2001, her parents, a brother, Elmer Uitti, and two sisters, Lempi Goulding and Mary Ann Kelly. She is survived by her daughter, Joanne (Dale) Mattinen of Esko; her son, Ernest (Judy) Bylkas of Grand Rapids; 9 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; a sister, Miriam Sword of Surprise, AZ; a brother, Robert (Barbara) Tumperi of Newnan, GA; a step-brother, Ed Hautala of Houghton, MI; a step-sister, Elma Seppala of San Diego, CA; several nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends. The family would like to offer their thanks to Dr. Vicki Anderson for her compassionate care of Martha; to Northland Funeral Home for their direction and assistance and to the staff and residents at Pineview Apartments. Memorials may be made to Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church, Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton or Inter-Lutheran Seminary in Hancock, MI. Funeral services were held at Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet on Monday, November 11, 2002. Interment was in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery, Esko.