Marquette––Rachel Helen Tallio, 92, of 1824 Wilkinson Avenue, Marquette, entered eternal life Friday evening, January 18, 2008, at the Norlite Nursing Center.
Born August 8, 1915, in Clarksburg, a daughter of Gert and Rachel (Larmour) Guidebeck, Rachel came to Marquette as a child and attended the Bishop Baraga School. She married Verne Tallio and together the couple made their home and raised a family in Marquette. Verne preceded her in death in 1979. During the 1960’s, Rachel owned and operated the former North End Tavern and later was employed as a baker at the Marquette Senior High School for ten years. Rachel was strongly devoted to her family and especially treasured the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life. For the past 24 years, Rachel enjoyed the special friendship of Toivo Kallio, and the two liked making occasional trips to the casino, traveling, and going to Toivo’s camp. Rachel also enjoyed cooking for her family, especially pasties, and loved to play card games with her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church.
A loving mother and proud grandparent, she is survived by four sons, Verne (Pat) Tallio of Absecon, NJ, Robert (Carol) Tallio and James (Hazel) Tallio both of Marquette, and Larry (Dawn) Tallio of Aberdeen, MD; a daughter, Patti (Fred) Tibbitts of Red River, NM; fourteen grandchildren, Kevin, Kris, Kelly, Karen, Keri, Cason, Kathy, Mary, Cindy, Cheryl, Allison, Penny, Nicole, and Benjamin; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, Kyle, Jacob, Clarissa, Justin, Lauren, Morgan, Erin, Sarah, Billy, Nicholas, Rachel, Courtney, Mathew, Tanner, Hunter, Kathryn, Pamela, Morgan, Luke, Josh, Melissa, Ashley, Kelsie, Lauren, Amanda, River, and Hannah; and her special friend, Toivo Kallio of Marquette. In addition to her parents and husband, Verne, Rachel was preceded in death by an infant son, Raymond Tallio; and eleven brothers and sisters.
The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Michael Catholic Church on Thursday, January 24, beginning at 1:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm Thursday afternoon with Rev. Frank Lenz as celebrant. A reception will follow at 805 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette. Entombment will be made at the Northland Chapel Gardens Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church, 401 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and residents of the Norlite Nursing Center for the many kindnesses extended to Rachel and her family.