Helen Ketola passed away on February 21, 2014. She was 84 years old.

Helen, the youngest of 9 children, was born in OulunLaani, Finland. She grew up & experienced life behind the lines of the Winter War and, upon its conclusion, was adopted by her uncle. Helen arrived in the United States in 1949 and soon after, met & married the love of her life, Arne Ketola. Helen & Arne lived their entire lives in Hibbing, where they owned Williams Lumber, raised a family, traveled extensively and were active members of the community. Helen felt very fortunate to have had all of the many unique life experiences she had.

Helen was an avid golfer & bowler and participated in numerous tournaments in both sports. Her proudest moments were in 1985 when her team represented the state of Minnesota at the Doral Country Club in Florida for the American Cancer Society National Golf Championship and in 1990 when she won the Mesaba Country Club Women's Club Championship. Helen treasured the many friendships she made through her involvement with these, and other, sports. Her wish was for all of her friends & teammates to serve as honorary pallbearers and, in doing so, wear their favorite sporting attire.

Helen was preceded in death by Arne J. Ketola (1992), as well as, her sisters & brothers and Mother and Father in Finland. She is survived by a son, John (Teri) Ketola of King George, Virginia and a daughter, Rachel (Dale) Firm of North Canton, Ohio, Grandchildren, Michael (Jessica) Ketola, Melissa (Will) Ketola-Flagge, Erik Firm, and Kaitlin Firm, and one great-grandchild, David Ketola.

The funeral will be held at 11am on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at First Lutheran Church in Hibbing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be held on February 28, 2014.

Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.


Visitation 10am - 11am ,Thursday, February 27, 2014
First Lutheran Church
2201 Third Ave. East Hibbing, MN 55746
Funeral Service 11:00 am ,Thursday, February 27, 2014
First Lutheran Church
2201 Third Ave. East Hibbing, MN 55746
Private Interment
Hibbing Park Cemetery
12057 Hwy 169 Hibbing, MN 55746