Anita Mae Wirkkala

Anita M. Wirkkala, 89, passed from this life on June 7, 2010 at her home in Vancouver, Washington. Anita was born April 23, 1921 in Miles City, Montana to Burtes O. and Eleanor Gilmore Haynes. Both sets of paternal grandparents were Montana homesteaders. She attended school in Miles City, graduating from Custer County High School in 1939. Following graduation from high school she found work in Spokane, Washington. Her brother Delbert introduced her to Naselle native Hannes Wirkkala at the Welcome House, a Christian USO Club in Spokane where Hannes played his guitar. Hannes was a member of the Army Air Corp at the time and was stationed at nearby Geiger Field. They married on May 13, 1944. Serving together in God's Army, they pastored churches in Brooklyn, Connecticut; Spokane, Ilwaco and the greater Vancouver, Washington area; and for the past 26 plus years in Yacolt, Washington until retiring in early 2006. Anita was preceded in death by her sister Alice Esslinger and three brothers, Orville, Nease and Delbert Haynes. She is survived by Hannes, her husband of 66 years; two daughters, Janis Blake and Pat Weidenaar; and one son, David Wirkkala, all of Vancouver, Washington; three granddaughters, two grandsons and one great granddaughter. Graveside rites will be at Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle, Washington on, Sunday, June 13, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Elim Lutheran Church in Hockinson, WA, 15815 NE 182nd Ave, Brush Prairie, WA 98606. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com