Nancy Ranta
GWINN, MI – “I have fought the good fight, have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – II Timothy 4:7-8.
Nancy A. Ranta was born to Yalmer and Hilda (Hogan) Juntunen on April 11, 1936 in Eben Junction, Michigan. Nancy graduated from Eben High School, married her high school sweetheart, Norman Hostetler, who preceded her in death in 1964. Nancy received her cosmetology degree in 1964, owned and operated her own beauty shop for 50 years (Nancy’s Town and Country). Nancy married Robert Ranta in 1965. They were married 56 years until his death in 2022. During that time she assisted in the operation of Hillcrest Dairy.
Nancy had many creative interests over the years, pursuing the art of rosemaling, watercolor painting, quilting, and sewing. Many of us were gifted cherished quilts over the years to commemorate various life events. She absolutely loved baking. A good blueberry season yielded pies, muffins, and pannukakku. She perfected the recipe for homemade Finnish rye bread. Nancy was also the head zookeeper for the family’s menagerie of pets (horses to hamsters) over the years with a special fondness for the dogs.
In retirement she spent her years at Mehl Lake entertaining family and friends with winters in Florida. Mom had “Sisu” and was proud of her Finnish heritage. She will be remembered for her kindness, compassion and sincerity to all.
Nancy is survived by her children, Scott Hostetler, Dawn (Jerry) Williams, Tamara (Ruben) Taborda, and Bill (Carey) Ranta; her grandchildren, Amy Hostetler, Renee’ (Daren) Pederson, Melissa (Jason) Peterson, Tara Patt, Rob, Jack, and Max Ranta, Dario Taborda; great-grandchildren, Hannah (Augie Gentz) Peterson, Jakob Peterson, Derek Pederson, Gehrig Patt; special daughter-in-law, Denise Eady. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Sheila Hoyles, Cathy Peterson; numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husbands, Norman Hostetler and Robert Ranta; siblings, Beatrice Ronn, Elmer Juntunen, Eugene Juntunen, Eva VanHorn, Marie Hakkola; sister-in-law, Marlene Hanson.
Special thank you to the staff at Mill Creek and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Memorials may be directed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where she was a longtime member.
A celebration of life and memorial will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church later this summer and will be announced.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.