I, John Arthur Suihkonen, was born on November 11, 1926, at home in Virginia, MN in the area known as "Finn Town", to John Iver and Olga Marie (Johnson) Suihkonen. That date was known as Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I, and so school was closed for my birthday. Hah!
I attended the old Lincoln grade school in Virginia from kindergarten through the 3rd grade. I moved to Kinross, MN in 1935 and graduated from Mountain Iron High School in 1944.
I served in the U.S. Navy during the end of World War II on board the U.S.S. Maryland (BB-46) as a radar operator.
After my discharge I graduated from Virginia Jr. College in 1948, and then the University of Minnesota in 1951 with a degree in Mining Engineering. While at the "U" I was president of the Iron Rangers Club.
I was united in marriage to Edith Ann Keese of Virginia, MN on July 26, 1952, in Winona, MN
I went to work for the old Oliver Mining Co. (United States Steel), and worked as an engineer at the Sherman Mine, and was the mine engineer at the Godfrey Underground, the Hull Rust Mine, the Sharon-Culver Mine, and Pilotac – Minntac. I joined the Eveleth Fee Office in 1967, and became its manager in 1971 – retiring in 1991.
I was a State Registered Professional Mining Engineer, a former member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and former director of the Engineer Club of Northern Minnesota. I was an AARP tax volunteer for many years. I was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hibbing since 1952, and served as an Elder, Deacon and Trustee. I was Scoutmaster of Troop 2 at the church and received the Silver Scouter Award.
Surviving me are my Wife: Edith Ann; my children: Linda (Carold DeJarlais) Suihkonen, John (Jeanne Johnson-Suihkonen) Suihkonen, Carol (Vernon) Larson, all of Hibbing, David (Jen Frazho) Suihkonen of Lakeville, MN, Paul (Hang Giang) Suihkonen of Minneapolis, and Barb Stuttgen of Sartell, MN; grandchildren: Erica, Elissa, Johnna, Kalea, Jared, Jacob, John, Joseph, Viivi, Eeva, Jack, and Katie; my great-grandson: Achaius; my brother: Arnold (Janet) Suihkonen of Mt. Iron, MN; my sister: Elaine (Bert) McDermid, of Virginia; and former daughter-in-law: Mary Beth Hanson.
Those who preceded me in death were my parents; and my sisters: Helen and Irene.
My interests included photography, walleye fishing, golf (I had 3 Holes-in-One!), cross country skiing, biking, and golf club assembly. My only regret was that I never learned to play the classical guitar.
My visitation will be from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am Funeral Service Thursday, August 1, 2013, in the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing. The Reverend James Deters will officiate. I will be laid to rest in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.
Family services are provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To express condolences to my family on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Facts

Born: November 11, 1926
Place of Birth: Virginia, MN
Death: July 29, 2013
Place of Death: Hibbing, MN
Occupation: Mining Engineer
Hobbies: photography, walleye fishing, golf, cross-country skiing, biking, and golf club assembly
Organizations: First Presbyterian church, Engineer Club of Northern MN, Scoutmaster

Services Visitation

Thursday August 1, 2013 , 10 am - 11 am at First Presbyterian Church

Thursday August 1, 2013 , 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church - Hibbing

Thursday August 1, 2013 , 1:00 pm at Hibbing Park Cemetery