In Memory of

Carrie

Hyrkas

Obituary for Carrie Hyrkas

Carrie Ellen Hyrkas, 63, of Duluth, MN died peacefully at her home on Jan. 21, 2023.
Carrie was born on Nov. 12, 1959, in Minneapolis, MN, to Peter and Ellen (Kangas) Torola. She was raised in Minneapolis and Calumet, MI with a lot of family time spent in Lac La Belle.
Carrie graduated from Calumet High School in 1978. She was united in marriage to Raymond Hyrkas on Aug. 26, 1978. They raised eight children in Kearsarge and later in Big Traverse, MI.
Carrie received an Associates degree from Finlandia University and worked as an RN at Superior Home Nursing, Aspirus Hospital, Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility, and Canal View Nursing Home.
Carrie was artistic like her mother; she painted, sewed teddy bears, crocheted, worked with stained glass, and did beadwork. She also played guitar and piano, and was always singing a tune. She loved her animals, book collections, gardening, agate picking, and loved to travel.
Mom had a loving heart and made time to listen and to accept people as they were. She had a fun and silly sense of humor like her dad. Her grandkids knew she’d always have a hug and a sucker for them. And most importantly of all, she held on to her precious faith in Jesus.
Carrie is preceded in death by her beloved father, Peter Torola, and infant brother, Daniel Torola.
Carrie is survived by her mother Ellen Torola, and children, Melissa (Mike) Lubinski, Christi Warner (Matthew Howe), Randy (Janina) Hyrkas, Tina (Robert) Zegel, Greta (Jeremy) Kinnunen, Glenn (Shanna) Hyrkas, Wayne (Tessa) Hyrkas, Greg (Jessica) Hyrkas and 26 grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Walter (Lynn) Torola, Carl (Beth) Torola, David (Ann) Torola, Margaret (Brian) Helminen, Leah Schwer, Reino (Caroll) Torola, and Douglas (Cynthia) Torola.
A funeral service for Carrie will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 at 12pm, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, MI. A public visitation will be held at the church prior to the service, from 10am to Noon, and a lunch for all friends and family following the service.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.