Alma Elizabeth Wirkkala

Alma E. Wirkkala, 88, a 76 year resident of Rosburg, Washington, died in Cathlamet, Washington on February 13, 2011 with her family at her side. Born January 12, 1923 in Ewen, Michigan of Finnish/Swedish ancestry, Alma was the last surviving of 12 children born to her father Jacob Kukkola, her mother being Ida Heinanen. Alma lived in Ewen until she was age 12. In 1935 Alma moved west with her parents, settling in Rosburg where her uncle August Kukkola has moved earlier. Alma attended Riverside grade school in Rosburg and helped on the family farm. On May 21, 1943 she married Walter Wirkkala in Naselle and they settled in Rosburg, eventually living on Alma's father's property. Alma was a wife, mother and homemaker. A woman of strong Christian faith and a prayer warrior, in past years Alma taught Sunday school at Valley Bible Chapel which later became Valley Bible Church. She enjoyed sketching and drawing, was skilled at sewing and handcrafts such as embroidery and crocheting, and also enjoyed gardening. Alma took pride in her homemaking abilities and was an excellent canner and baker. She shared her kitchen skills with her grandchildren who learned the art of crust making and pie baking under grandma's patient care. Alma was an excellent role model to many. Soft-spoken, polite and gentle, she lived her life devoted to her family and her faith, and she enjoyed the many friends she had in the Grays River/Rosburg community. Alma is survived by her daughter Joan Carroll of Omaha, Nebraska; son Robert Saari of Rosburg, WA; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Her husband of 59 years died in 2001. Memorial service will be held Thursday, February 17, 2011, 2:00 PM at the Valley Bible Church in Rosburg with a reception following. Family graveside rites will precede the service at Seal River Cemetery. Memorial may be made to the Valley Bible Church in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.