Oiva "Jack" Koivula

Koivula, Oiva Jacob "Jack" was born on December 6th, 1920 in Lapua, Finland. He passed away peacefully and entered his new home with the Lord in Heaven on November 28th, 2011. Oiva was a resident of St. Louis Park for over 60 years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years Vienna Paavola. He will be deeply missed by his family, including children Joyce (Steve) Pokorny, Gail (Dave) Groth, Steven (Kelly Redlin) Koivula, and Jane (Robert Schadow) Koivula, along with eleven grandchildren, Alyssa, Andrew, Aimee, Daniel, Katie, Anna Lisa, Kristin, Amanda, Jacob, Jack, and Isaak, along with great-grandchildren Haley and Adelyn; also by his brother Oliver (Eva) Mackley and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Koivula and Sanna Maensyrja (Maki in USA) and an infant brother Robert. He was born in the town of Hellanmaa (on a hillside lined with birch trees) near Lapua Finland. He came to the United States in 1923 by way of Ellis Island. In the USA he first resided in New Castle, Pennsylvania, then moved to Hibbing in 1927 to be near his mother's family. At age 9 his mother passed away. Following her death he lived with his grandmother Sanna, and later with his Uncle Jack Maki on a farm in Suomi country in northern Minnesota. He graduated from the Suomi school while working on the farm. In 1938 he left farming to work in a logging camp, and later joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1942 he joined the U.S. Army and served during WWII in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany including Normandy Beach and the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the 531st Battalion of the 30th Infantry Division called the "Old Hickory". His final mission was to help bring German scientists to safety, such as Wernher von Braun, whom later helped design the rockets for the first group of men on the moon for the USA. Once he completed his military service, he graduated from Dunwoody in Minneapolis. He married Vienna in 1950 in New York Mills, MN. He worked for International Harvester for over 30 years followed by Action Electric and Lancer Stores. In his spare time he could often be found working on the vehicle of one of his family members or repairing or building just about anything. Oiva was a faithful member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church since 1948 and was involved in helping with the Finnish Christmas Program there for over 20 years with his wife Vienna. His "Sisu" in all circumstances along with his cheerful persevering spirit and faith will forever be an inspiration to his family and friends. A service to honor Oiva's life will be held at 11 AM Monday, December 5th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5005 Northwest Blvd., Plymouth, MN. Final salute to Oiva following service with a military tribute at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to service at church & also on Sunday, December 4th, 3-6 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins 952-938-9020

Tributes

Oiva "Jack" Koivula

December 4, 2011

Tributes

Oiva "Jack" Koivula

December 4, 2011

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