DEARBORN, Mich. - Aino W. Osterberg, 100, formerly of Hancock, died on Sunday morning, June 20, 2010, at Oakwood Commons Skilled Nursing Center in Dearborn.

She was born April 1, 1910 in Hancock to Mauritz and Wilhelmina Osterberg, both Finnish immigrants.

Upon graduation from Hancock High School, she attended Western State Teachers College, earning a teaching certificate in 1928. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1930 and spent ten years teaching at Hancock Central High School and in Big Rapids, Mich. In 1937, she earned a Master’s degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and soon moved to Detroit where she spent most of her life.

Upon completing a post-graduate course in Medical Technology at Grace Hospital in Detroit, she spent many years as Associate Director of the lab, retiring in 1972.

For many years, she and her widowed mother lived together in Detroit.

An avid reader, outdoors woman and nature lover, she loved needlepoint, the Detroit Symphony and the Detroit Institute of Art.

She and long-time friend, Margaret Ferry, who preceded her in death, traveled extensively internationally. Very proud of her Finnish heritage, she corresponded for years with distant relatives in Finland and visited them several times.

Her parents and two brothers, Charles (Vilma) Haapanen and Roy M. (Lucille) Osterberg preceded her in death.

She is survived by a nephew, Ken (Doris) Haapanen of Gloucester, Ontario, Canada; a niece, Mary Lou Osterberg (Mark Kotz) of Glenview, Ill.; three grand-nieces; one grand-nephew; two great-grand-nephews and a dear friend, Carol (David) Waisanen of Hancock.

She will be interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton beside her parents.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at oneilldennisfh.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Hancock public Schools Foundation, c/o Aino Osterberg Scholarship, 501 Campus Drive, Hancock, MI 49930.