After a short illness, Grace Helen Hanninen died on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. She was 94 years old.
Grace was born in Ishpeming Michigan on October 4, 1924 to Thomas and Elsie Hampton. She was the oldest of three children; Irene Rudness, whom died in 2011 and Paul Hampton whom died in 1952.
Grace graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1942 and in 1948 from Suomi College in Hancock, Michigan. It was at Suomi College that her significant musical talent was first discovered, which led to her subsequent admission to University of Michigan's School of Music in 1948. She obtained both her bachelor and master's degrees in music from the University in 1950 and 1952 respectively.
Grace's life was dedicated to the performance and instruction of music; as a vocalist, vocal teacher and as pianist and piano instructor. She and her husband Oliver Hanninen, whom she married in 1951, lived in Ann Arbor for nearly 50 years. While in Ann Arbor Grace was a regular contributor in the early 1960s to such radio programs as "Studio Showcase" and "Hymns of Faith" which were broadcast on WUOM, WJR and WGY in Schenectady, New York. She was a regular performer with the Plymouth Symphony and Ann Arbor Cantata Singers. Grace served as vocal instructor at both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan's Schools of Music and was a paid soloist with the First Baptist Church in Ann Arbor for over 40 years.
In the summer of 1963 she toured with the Suomi College (Finlandia University) European Choir Tour which concertized in five European countries, performing over twenty-five concerts. The tour concluded with private performances for the then President of Finland, Urho
Kekkonen and the Archbishop of Finland, llmari Salomies.
After the death of her husband Oliver in 1989, Grace moved to Traverse City where she continued her musical career, participating in numerous performances with the Old Town Playhouse, accompanist for the Traverse City Area Public Schools, NMC Children's Choir and as longtime member of the First Congregational Church Choir. She also maintained a private voice and piano studio for many years.
Grace is survived by her daughters Suzanne (Robert Parker) and Kim (Tony Hansen), three grandsons, Philip (Jessica), Kevin (Sarah) and Charles and one great-grandson, Oliver Parker.
A memorial service celebrating Grace's life and the legacy she has left us will be held at the First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road in Traverse City on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Gary Hogue will officiate. Interment will be in the Garden of Remembrance at First Congregational Church
Memorial contributions may be made to Finlandia University, 601 Quincy St., Hancock, MI 49930 or online
at www.finlandia.edu or the Ishpeming Community Fund,
P. O. Box 37, Marquette, MI 49855 or online at http://cfofmc.org/affiliate-funds/greater-ishpeming-area-community-fund/ .