Obituary: Leonard Alfred Holmbo

HANCOCK

Leonard Alfred Holmbo, 100, a resident of Hancock, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

He was born November 16, 1918, in Franklin Township, a son to the late August and Maria (Oaulsen) Holombo.

Leonard was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp.

Prior to entering the military in 1942, Leonard worked as a miner for the Quincy Mining Company as well as various construction jobs. During service time, he was deferred back home to work in the mine, and then served in Brazil working on an airfield as a fireman before he was discharged from the military in 1946.

In 1949, Leonard married the former Helen “Betty” Carkner in Ahmeek.

Leonard and Betty moved to Redford, Michigan, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Local 324. The couple returned to the area in 2006, making their home in Hancock.

Leonard was a member of the Range Apostolic Lutheran Church of South Range, and a lifetime member of the Finnish Cultural Center in Farmington and was instrumental in planning and building the current facility. He enjoyed gardening, snow relocating and providing a warm and loving home. He enjoyed all that the Copper Country has to offer, especially spending time with his family, most notably his grandkids.

Leonard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty of Hancock; a son, David of Boston Location; two grandchildren, Elliott and Molly; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his pet dog, Ginger.

Besides his parents, Leonard was also preceded in death by six brothers, Bill, Henry, Norman, Edwin, Reuben and Leopold; and three sisters, Elida, Julia, and Mildred.

Leonard’s family would like to thank the Community Action Agency, especially Barb Lassila and Marie Lindell, and caregiver Donna Ruohonen for their kindness and service, Copper Country Senior Meals, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and Dr. Sigrid Janners for the compassion and wonderful care Leonard received.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at the Range Apostolic Lutheran Church in South Range, with Pastor Chuck Bylkas to officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday in the church. Spring burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock. Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.