Obituary of Arvo Kauppi

Arvo John Kauppi, 93, of Winthrop Harbor, IL, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on March 3, 2011. He was born March 29, 1917 in Herbster, WI the son of Mike and Suzanne Kauppi. He graduated from South Shore High School in 1935. After graduation, he worked on the family farm for a couple of years. He had an unfortunate attack of appendicitis and had to go to St. Joseph's Hospital in Ashland, WI for surgery. While there, he met Sadie Irene Setala, a young nursing student from Tower, MN. She took care of him while he was hospitalized. After he was discharged, they dated and eventually married on December 25, 1943. Arvo then worked in the mines on the Iron Range near Tower and Virginia, MN. During World War II, he went on to become a wheelsman/helmsman on the ore boats sailing the Great Lakes. The ships delivered iron ore for the steel mills. After that he purchased his own fishing boat and was a commercial fisherman for a couple of years, fishing for herring, white fish and trout. He would also work for a neighbor who owned a lumber company. He cut down trees which were delivered to the local pulp mills. He went to work for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company and worked around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. He retired after 30 years. Arvo also belonged to Labor Union #152. Arvo and Sadie were married 49 years until her death in 1993. Survivors include her five children, Elaine (Robert) Kauppi Sullivan of Montclair, VA, Kathleen Kauppi of Winthrop Harbor, IL, Marlene (Lawrence) Kauppi Bloxsom of Zion, IL, Clarice (George) Kauppi Herrmann of Lakeview, Arkansas, and Kevin (Donna) Kauppi of Pleasant Prairie, WI; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Signe Nelson of Kenosha, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Kauppi; a sister, Sylvia Erdman; and his wife, Sadie (nee Setala) Kauppi. Funeral services will be private for the immediate family. Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in his name to the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096.