As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Ralph C. Heikka, 85, entered heaven peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife by his side.
Ralph was born on June 5, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan to Peter V. and Allie E. (Anderson) Heikka and was raised in Tamarack City on Osceola Hill in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Ralph was the grandson of Finnish Immigrants and the second oldest of six children. He was baptised and confirmed Lutheran. He graduated from Dollar Bay High School with the class of 1959.
Beginning in high school, Ralph worked at several companies in the area, including the Elks Club Bowling Alley, Lake Valley Dairy, the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company (in the Centennial 2 mine), and Nelson’s Car Dealership. In his early twenties, Ralph sailed on the Great Lakes for three seasons as a deckhand on the ore carriers for the Pickands Mather Steamship Company. Later, he served as a Tamarack City Volunteer Fireman.
In 1960, he began a 52-year career as a self-taught meat cutter and manager, for which he will be most remembered. He worked for several grocery store chains in Michigan and Wisconsin, including A&P, IGA, Sentry Foods, and Pick-N-Save. While working at the A&P in Ypsilanti between 1966 and 1968, Ralph also was employed full-time at the Ford Motor Company in the Powder Metal Department. Ralph belonged to the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union and served many years as their union steward. In 2012, Ralph retired at the age of 71 from the meat industry.
In May, 1973, Ralph met Ivy M. Lindgren through a blind date arranged by mutual friends at a sing-along and dance night at Mr. Pete’s in Hubbell. Since the moment Ivy saw this handsome man with an endearing smile her heart has been full of happiness. They were united in marriage on August 20,1977 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI and were blessed to have almost forty-nine years together. As newlyweds, they resided in Tamarack City, Michigan for one year. They then moved to Wisconsin, where over the years, periodically relocated due to grocery store closures or Ralph being transferred. Since 1991 the couple has resided in Plymouth, Wisconsin.
Ralph was an honest, kind-hearted, and giving person with a witty sense of humor. He would tell jokes and stories and share some of his wisdom from a lifetime of experiences. Ralph was a patient and loving husband, father, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed following the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks.
In his younger years, Ralph and Ivy had season tickets to the Michigan Tech hockey games and enjoyed walks along the shores of Lake Superior. He had a passion for classic cars and loved snowmobiling, boating, water skiing on one ski and taking trips to Isle Royale to fish with his friends. Throughout his life, Ralph was most proud and happy of the success, activities, and lives of his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces attending sporting events, musical events, and graduations. He was always only a phone call away to lend a helping hand or to offer his love and support. During the last few years, he enjoyed calls using his flip phone that included laughter and memories of the olden days with several family and lifelong friends. Especially after retirement, Ralph frequently could be found sharing in-person conversations and laughs at the local restaurants over a cup of coffee or bowl of soup.
Ralph carried the proud spirit of SISU, the inner strength and resilience of his Finnish Heritage, through to the end of his life. He spoke the Finnish language with his siblings and friends. His favorite Finnish bakery included cardamom Nisu, korppu (Trenary toast), peanut squares and prune tarts.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wallace Heikka, Kenneth Heikka and Robert Heikka; former wife and mother of his children, Janet Rheault; in-laws Karen D. Heikka, Raymond and Margaret Lindgren, John Lindgren, Raymond and Myrle Rheault, and Sharon Rheault.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ivy; his children Amy (Wayne) Martin of Highlands Ranch, CO and Donald (Amy Miller) Heikka of Evergreen, CO; grandchildren Grace Heikka and Kylie Heikka both of Aurora, CO, Lauren (Cameron) Crowley of Centennial, CO, Bryce Civiello and Sam Civiello both of Evergreen, CO; great grand-daughter Delilah; siblings Peter J. (Elizabeth) Heikka of the Copper Country in Michigan and Karen (Paul) Hendon of Schofield, WI; in-laws Patricia Heikka of Scottsdale, AZ, MaryLou Heikka of Otsego, MI, Tom (Debbie) Lindgren of L’Anse, MI, Catherine (Steve) Jordan of Hancock, MI, Jana Fry of Aurora, CO, Mary Rheault and Ron Rheault both of Lake Linden, MI; nieces and nephews Michael (Suzanne) Heikka, James Heikka, David Heikka, Cheryl (David) Glazier, John (Sharon) Heikka, Wendi Heikka (Mark Rudnicki), Julie Heikka (Kevin Dudeck), Nathan (Tricia) Hendon, Aaron (Karlene) Hendon, Sarah (Christian) Winterhoff, Jennifer (Ron) Mervine, Justin (Paige) Heikka, Tina (George) Lahti, Jason (Angie) Lindgren, Andrew Lindgren, Zachary (fiance Francesca) Jordan, Adam Jordan, Austin Jordan, Kevin (Lynn) Rheault, Carrie (Rickie) Rheault-Sarah in, and Keith (Debbie) Rheault; 32 great nieces and nephews and many cherished cousins.
A visitation will be held at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth, Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 3-7 PM with a prayer service to follow.
A visitation will also be held at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel on Friday, August 7, 2026 from 4-7 PM. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11 AM, the service will be held at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow at the church, with a burial procession to the Lake View Cemetery (Section 74) in Calumet, Michigan.
Ralph’s family extends a very special ‘thank you” to his medical providers and staff for their compassionate and wonderful care. Also, thank you to his wonderful neighbors and friends that have been there for Ralph.
Ralph will be so deeply missed by his family, friends and all that knew him, and will be forever in our hearts. May he rest in peace. “Herran Haltuun” – May you be in the Lord’s keeping.
Miss and Love You!
To view Ralph’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the local arrangemetns.
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