James Lahti

James Stephen Lahti of Traverse City died Sunday, December 23, 2012. He was born December 11, 1948 in Eveleth, Minnesota the son of Matthew and Hilda (Jacobson) Lahti.

Jim’s lifelong occupation was making eyeglasses. He worked for various companies, mostly as a lab supervisor. He was currently employed at Harbor Optical, Traverse City.

In his younger years and his spare time, he restored vehicles. He worked hard to obtain his aviators license and wished to become instrument rated, however the need for a home was greater. Over the years, Jim has greatly missed childhood friends in Minnesota, Jack and Sue Plattner and Don and Lynn Maki; he would have liked to visit them more often.

Jim looked forward to spending a week every year around Labor Day fishing down in Frankfort with his good friend, Louie Bohstedt and his son, Jeff. Jim enjoyed woodworking and together with his wife built most of their furniture. He also liked putting in a garden; mostly just to watch it grow and then to give the produce away to his friends at work. Because money was always tight; he learned to fix just about anything. Jim was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by his wife and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Matthew and Hilda Lahti and a baby brother.

A private family burial will be held in the spring at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Traverse City Health Clinic, 3155 Logan Valley Rd., Traverse City, Michigan 49684.

Please visit Jim's webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to read more and sign the online guest book and share a message or memory with his family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.