It is with great sadness that the family of Elizabeth Herta Lahja Stepanic announce her peaceful passing at the age of 89 at Roseview Manor with her son Lauri and daughter-in-law Diana by her side on March 4, 2025, after an eight-year battle with dementia.
Elizabeth was born on November 4, 1935, in Port Arthur to Einar and Ida Hokkanen and spent her childhood on the family homestead in Kaministiquia. She was proud of her Finnish heritage. Family encouraged her to enter local beauty contests before she was married but she was too modest and didn’t want the attention.
As a teenager, Elizabeth started volunteering as a candy striper to get her foot in the door of the local hospitals and her hard work and dedication caught the attention of the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Hospital and this was the beginning of her career in hospital work.
She met her first husband, Kurt Kangas, and together they had one son. Elizabeth worked at the family grocery store, Kangas Grocery. When the family opened Kangas Sauna, Elizabeth returned to work at local hospitals. She eventually worked her way into the Operating Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital preparing instrument bundles for surgery until her retirement. Her family was very proud of her career accomplishments.
Elizabeth looked forward to her numerous annual visits to Southern Ontario to visit her son and daughter-in-law. She was treated to the best Broadway shows, restaurants and attractions in Toronto and the surrounding area as well as delicious home cooked meals, barbecues and evening campfires.
After her third husband passed away in 2013, Elizabeth moved to Fort Frances to be with her son and daughter-in-law. Elizabeth moved back to Thunder Bay with her son and daughter-in-law in 2023 where she resided at Roseview Manor until her passing.
Elizabeth is survived by her only son Lauri Kangas (Diana), her sister Dorothy Cerven (Stan) and brother Raymond Hokkanen (Beverly) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.
She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Eila Nousiainen (Arne); nieces, Arlene and Anne; nephew, Todd; and husbands, Kurt Kangas, Urho Aho and Louis Stepanic.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Roseview Manor and Rainycrest in Fort Frances for the care and compassion you showed for Elizabeth.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date. A private family interment will also be held at later date in Riverside Cemetery.
If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to The St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay, or a charity of your choice would be gratefully appreciated.
Online condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
