Obituary for Mrs. Kerttu Lahti (Kalliosaari)
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our äiti and mummu, Kerttu Sanelma Aliina Lahti at Pioneer Ridge on the evening of January 17, 2019.
Kerttu was born in Lapua, Finland as the youngest of 7 siblings to Juho and Aliina Kalliosaari on April 8, 1928. There she attended Alanurmon School until age 11, when her family moved north to Ylivieska where they continued dairy farming. Here she met her husband-to-be Erkki.
In September 1957 they, with daughter Irma, began a long and eventful flight to emigrate to Port Arthur, Canada where family and friends had also located. It was a five year plan, to return to Ylivieska to a riverside home that they had begun to remodel. Years and work turned into decades but äiti kept us all in close contact with family in Finland and found more family to visit in Minnesota and Michigan. This connection remained important throughout her lifetime.
Kerttu started her working career at Bay Food Bar on Bay St. Other employment included Kivela Bakery, Hoito, Scandinavian Home, Nor Shor Hotel and school crossing guard. She retired after 13 years as the baker from the LU cafeteria.
She was a long-time member of Hilldale Lutheran Church, previously The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church on Secord St.
Some of her favourite memories were of visiting Finland and USA. She also enjoyed family camping, swimming and saunaing at Green Point and One Island Lake.
She is survived by her children, Irma Nystrom (Bryan) and Markku (Tanis); 4 grandchildren Matti, Mikko (Justine), Alyssa and Hanna and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins in Finland, USA and New Zealand.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Erkki; parents, brothers and sisters.
Our family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Pioneer Ridge who cared for äiti with such kindness and compassion.
Funeral services for the late Mrs. Kerttu Lahti will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 11:00am in Hilldale Lutheran Church, 321 Hilldale Rd, with Rev. Jari Lahtinen officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley St. at Algoma.
Expressions of sympathy can be made as a donation to Hilldale Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
Kerttu was born in Lapua, Finland as the youngest of 7 siblings to Juho and Aliina Kalliosaari on April 8, 1928. There she attended Alanurmon School until age 11, when her family moved north to Ylivieska where they continued dairy farming. Here she met her husband-to-be Erkki.
In September 1957 they, with daughter Irma, began a long and eventful flight to emigrate to Port Arthur, Canada where family and friends had also located. It was a five year plan, to return to Ylivieska to a riverside home that they had begun to remodel. Years and work turned into decades but äiti kept us all in close contact with family in Finland and found more family to visit in Minnesota and Michigan. This connection remained important throughout her lifetime.
Kerttu started her working career at Bay Food Bar on Bay St. Other employment included Kivela Bakery, Hoito, Scandinavian Home, Nor Shor Hotel and school crossing guard. She retired after 13 years as the baker from the LU cafeteria.
She was a long-time member of Hilldale Lutheran Church, previously The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church on Secord St.
Some of her favourite memories were of visiting Finland and USA. She also enjoyed family camping, swimming and saunaing at Green Point and One Island Lake.
She is survived by her children, Irma Nystrom (Bryan) and Markku (Tanis); 4 grandchildren Matti, Mikko (Justine), Alyssa and Hanna and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins in Finland, USA and New Zealand.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Erkki; parents, brothers and sisters.
Our family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Pioneer Ridge who cared for äiti with such kindness and compassion.
Funeral services for the late Mrs. Kerttu Lahti will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 11:00am in Hilldale Lutheran Church, 321 Hilldale Rd, with Rev. Jari Lahtinen officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley St. at Algoma.
Expressions of sympathy can be made as a donation to Hilldale Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com