Anita Sundling

Anita R. Sundling, age 76 of Iron River, MI, died Friday May 8, 2009 at the Aurora Bay Care Medical Center, Green Bay, WI surrounded by family. Born: December 11, 1932 in Stambaugh, MI The daughter of the late Charles and Toini (Potola) Book attended Bates Elementary School and Iron River High school graduating in 1951. After graduation Anita taught and performed accordion in Chicago where she met her husband Leonard Sundling. The couple married December 6, 1951 in Crown Pointe, Indiana. In 1952 they moved to Iron River to make their home. They owned and operated numerous businesses in Iron River - people have called Anita "a woman ahead of her time." They owned and operated a Fish Market, Central Music and Hobbies from 1964 to 1974, and the Town and Country Shop from 1969 to 1983. The couple worked on many building and remodeling projects, including building a pair of domes at Camp Lake. They had a dance band from 1955 to 1970. Anita was the founder and director of the Legionettes all girl Drum and Bugle Corp. She also wrote and arranged music for the Corp. Leonard repaired and maintained the instruments. She performed at many functions and "gigs" as she called it with her cordovox. She performed with her husband and also with Art recording cassettes of their music. She was an amazing naturally talented musician, able to play many instruments. She was able to play without music any request made! She taught numerous kids and adults to play the accordion. She taught her children to play music and they performed and competed as "Night Train" together. Anita once met and played alongside Viola Turpeinen, her Finnish accordion playing idol. She performed for National Finnish festivals. Her version of "Finlandia" would bring people to tears. The couple enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. They loved to winter in Texas or Florida. They were "SnowBirds" living near their friends. They celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. Leonard preceded her in death on November 16, 1986. The love for her family, brothers, sisters, in-laws and especially her grandchildren was most important to her. She read Richard Scary books to the grandchildren and had them plunking away at the piano when they were little. She loved playing her accordion and having her brother Arnold play his harmonica. She was an amazing cook and was always sneaking someone their favorite pie or cake as a surprise. Anita was a member of the Red Hat Society and she enjoyed performing with her accordion at the get-togethers. She was also preceded in death by her daughter Vicki Peterson in 1982, brother William Book, and sisters Elsie Tarnowski and Irene Halvas. She is survived by her son, Lee (Laurie) Sundling of Green Bay, WI Daughter, Lenita (Joseph) Karwedsky of Green Bay, WI Brother, Arnold (Delores) Book of Iron River Five Grandchildren Nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends Visitation: Tuesday May 12, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. Funeral Service: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River, with Pastor Bonny Kinnunen, pastor of the First Lutheran Church, Iron River to officiate. Interment: Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River Funeral Arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River.