Greta Leone (Leona) Halttunen Walkonen was born on April 2, 1933 to George Edwin Halttunen and Eleanor Martha (Larson) Halttunen on the Halttunen family farm outside of Copper City.
She has one surviving sister, Judith Evelyn Marie (Judy) (Halttunen) Holz of Clinton Township, Michigan.
Leona was raised in the Laurium Apostolic Church. She was confirmed there. Leona graduated from Calumet High School in June of 1951.
She married Rudolph (Rudy) Walkonen on December 19, 1951. They raised five children in Florida Location. They are: Elizabeth Eleanor (Lizzie) Walkonen of Laurium, MI, David Rudolph (Wife, Vicky) Walkonen of Anchorage, AK, Judith Ann (Judi) (Husband, Edd) (Walkonen) Clair, currently in Panama, Robert George (Bobby) (Wife, Claire) Walkonen of Oklahoma City, OK, and Sharon Jean (Walkonen)(Husband, Dave) Dixon of Oklahoma City, OK.
Leona had 9 grandchildren: Christopher Gunnard Walkonen of New Castle, OK., Danielle Leigh (Clair) (Husband, Tom) Stull of Des Moines, IA., Amy Eileen (Walkonen) (Husband, Scotty) Palma of Omaha, NE, Lisa Suzzanne (Meloche) Ballard of Laurium, MI., Lawrence Edward (Larry) Clair of Anchorage, AK., Anthony David (Tony) Walkonen of Holland, MI., Nicole Leone (Revello) Walkonen of Shakopee, MN., and Jack Dixon of Huntington Beach, CA.
She had 12 great grandchildren, Sierra Elizabeth Ballard, Savannah Rose Ballard, Sahara Jasmine Ballard, Orellia Revello, Gavin Walkonen, Landon Hume Stull, Hayleigh Samantha Clair, Madison Laine Clair, Ansley Nicole Stull, and Emma Clarie Palma. She also had numerous nieces and nephews.
Leona was preceded in death by twin siblings who died at birth, her father, George Halttunen, her daughter, Sharon, her son, Robert, her husband, Rudy, and her mother, Eleanor (Nori) Walczak.
Leona wore many hats. She worked diligently as a homemaker, mother, Avon Lady, Seamstress; an avid knitter, especially custom made Mary Maxium Sweaters, Census taker, and cake decorator. She was proficient in knitting, crocheting, and plastic canvas, and multiple other crafts. She also worked for Community Action and as a private home health care provider for over 20 years before her first stroke. Leona worked on the election board for over twenty years, and served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Calumet High School Class of 1951 for over 50 years, and enjoyed participating in the Copper Coty Luncheons for many years. She was also known for her rye sense of humor and found great pleasure of acquiring a new nickname of “Tough Ol’ Bird” during her recovery from the amputation.
She was a devoted member of Faith Lutheran Church, and was very active in many of the church activities. She served countless house as a funeral co-committee chairperson, and until recently was very active with the Quilters. She loved to bake for the quilters every Tuesday with a personalized birthday cake for everyone’s special day! She also provided countless baking donations to the annual church bazaars, pot luck lunches, funerals, and any other special occasion.
Her other hobbies included clearing the dance floor with Rudy was dancing to the Polka or Schautice, maintaining her shuffleboard championship status, and reading a book a day.
In spite of her many health issues over the past 14 years, her faith remained strong and her SISU kept her busy and active to the end. Her final wish was to peacefully die at home and the Good Lord honored that wish, for which we all are truly grateful.
Please come help celebrate her life. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 11:00 am, at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet, with Pastor Peter Vorhes to officiate.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.