Obituary: Anita L. Walikainen

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

    Anita L. Walikainen, 83, a resident of Chassell passed away Friday, August 18, 2023, at the Omega House in Houghton following a short illness.

     She was born on February 27, 1940, in Toivola, MI, a daughter of the late Levi and Ida (Wiitala) Laurila.  Anita was raised in the Misery Bay area and attended the Heikkinen School before graduating from the Jeffers High School with the class of 1958.

     Anita moved to the Milwaukee area after high school and worked as a secretary for Cutler Hammer.  She returned to the Copper Country and was united in marriage to Paul Walikainen on May 27, 1961.  The couple had resided in South Range before moving in 1967 to make their home in Chassell. On September 5, 1989, Paul preceded Anita in death.

     Mrs. Walikainen had worked as the principal’s secretary retiring after 27 years of service to the school district.  Anita was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, being active with the quilters of the church.  She also was a member of Toivola Senior Citizens, she enjoyed working in her flower gardens, being outside, knitting, being with her pet cats and dogs and being a NASCAR fan.

     Preceding her in death were her husband, her brother Armand Laurila, and her sisters Verna Niemi and Margaret Aho.

     Surviving are:

            Her children: Gregg (Vivian) Walkikainen of Vancouver, WA

                                    Betsy (Tony) Walikainen-Laux of Chassell

            6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren

            Her brother Stan Laurila of Toivola

            Her furry companion Laila

            Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

     A funeral service for Anita will be held 12:00 pm Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell with Rev. Soren Schmidt to officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery of South Range.

    Friends may call on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 10:00 am until time of services at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell.

     In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorial donations in Anita’s memory be given to the Omega House in Houghton or the Copper Country Humane Society.

     To view Anita’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

     The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.