Obituary of Veikko Leander Himanka

Veikko Leander Himanka, 91 of Cloquet passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021 in his winter home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. He was born on April 12, 1929 in Kalajoki, Finland to Sanfrid and Hilma (Lastikka) Himanka. He was raised by a deeply religious mother, as his father emigrated to Canada looking for better living conditions for the family. Veikko would sometimes go to listen to the Laestadian Lutheran services. After high school and the military service, where he trained as a sergeant leader in an artillery unit, he then worked for a hardware store in Kouvola staying with his oldest sister and her family. He then moved to Helsinki and worked for another hardware store where he met Hanski and they both moved to Stockholm, Sweden where his sister Aili lived. His other two sisters, Martha and Vera, along with their families had emigrated to USA. The two fellows applied for visas to follow. The fellows emigrated to Canada, working and waiting until they were approved to emigrate to the USA. Veikko and Hanski arrived in the Cloquet in 1959. Sister Martha arranged for Veikko's mother to come to USA and she lived with Veikko and Hanski for 5 years. Veikko's dog Buddy was their companion on all the boundary waters trips and at Big Sandy Lake for 10 years. Veikko worked at Diamond Match until his retirement. He enjoyed downhill skiing and tennis when he was younger. He travelled widely and enjoyed seeing new places. He loved his Florida home and the climate there where he could be outside. In Cloquet he had beautiful flowers on his deck. He had a truly green thumb. Veikko was preceded in death by his brother, Vilho; and sisters, Aune Kurikkala, Martha Rahkola and Vera Torniainen. He is survived by his sister, Aili Koskinen in Stockholm, Sweden; several nieces and nephews; and long-time friend, Hannu "Hanski" Putkuri. Visitation: 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. memorial service Monday, May 17, 2021 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. Masks are required. From the funeral home parking lot the funeral can be heard on FM 98.3. A video recording of the service will be on the funeral home website Monday afternoon. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery in Esko. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com