Toivo Hulkonen

Toivo William Hulkonen was born on September 28, 1916, near Holmes City, Minnesota to Andrew and Hilda (Heikkinen) Hulkonen. The family moved to Urness Township where he attended school at District #70. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church and has been a lifelong member. Toivo has served as Chairman of the congregation for several years and later as an Elder. He served two terms with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Northern Minnesota prior to joining the US Navy in May of 1941. He spent most of the time overseas in the Mediterranean and European Theatre, in Africa, Secily, Anzio Beachead and France during World War II. He was Honorably Discharged in December of 1945. On May 4, 1946, Toivo was united in marriage to Ellen Haabala. To this union three sons were born: William, David and Dennis. The family enjoyed farming for seventeen years and in 1964, they moved to Moorhead, Minnesota where Toivo was employed at Moorhead State University. In 1984, the couple moved to Brandon, Minnesota. They had kept the farm so he could still enjoy gardening, yard work and limited hunting. Toivo died on Monday, December 05, 2011. He is survived by his three sons: William (Phyllis) of Side Lake, MN, David (Rhonda) of Vermillion, SD, Dennis (Randi) of Kensington, MN; six grandchildren: Sarah (David) MacDonald of Bloomington, MN, Stacy (Ray) Gwenigale of St. Paul, MN, Shannon Hulkonen of Eden Prairie, Sherri Hulkonen of Burnsville, MN, Shelley (Brian) Finn of Minneapolis, MN, Lee Hulkonen of Minneapolis; step grandchildren, Shanon (Erik) Kush-Jeffrey, Shawna Kush, and Jeremy Marshall; five great grandchildren: Ryan Toivo & Katelyn MacDonald, Reina & Isabella Gwenigale, Camryn Finn; step great-grandchildren, Cody Miller, Cyle Miller, Hailey Marshall and Brianna Marshall; step great-great-grandchild, Zaiden Miller; sisters: Martha Fredrickson of Coon Rapids, Anna (Tom) Chapman of Lakota, ND, Elsie Okerlund of Monticello. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen; parents, three sisters: Lillian, Vieno, Eva; brother: John; nephew: Charles Hulkonen. Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 8, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Moe Township with Rev. Michael Peterson officiating. Burial was at Moe Heights Cemetery.