Walfred "Wally" Eli Hakomaki died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, of complications from a fall. He was a unique individual who will be missed by all who knew him. Wally was born Dec. 29, 1923, in Embarrass, Minn., to Eli and Mae Hakomaki. He grew up in Lakewood Township and in Duluth and attended Central High School. He joined the United States Army at the onset of World War II and served in the South Pacific. When he returned, he went to work for the DM&IR. He spent many years as a crane operator on the coal dock. He left the DM&IR in the 1960s and went to work for the Great Lakes Fleet as a seaman. Wally retired in 1990 and devoted his time to fishing, hunting, woodworking and family. As an adult, Wally lived in the west end of Duluth, Duluth Heights, Wrenshall, the east end of Duluth and Eagle Lake. He moved back to Wrenshall in 1997 with his new wife, but old friend, Millie. In 2002 they moved to Cromwell to live in a new home on Island Lake built by her son, Jay, and his wife, Julie. Of all these places, Wally seemed to like Wrenshall the best. His church was there, the Brickyard was there, it was close to Carlton where he was a lifetime member of the VFW, and most importantly his friends were there.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Hakomaki, his sister Inez (Wayne) Risku, and his sister Mae (Arvid) Mustonen.
He is survived by his wife, Millie; his two daughters, Arlene (Tom) Whittaker of Pike Lake and Jean Hicks of Lakewood Township; his brother Carl Hakomaki of Pine, Ariz.; Millie's children, Alfred (Linda) Gronroos, Mary (Jim) Pasek, Cynthia Gronroos, and Jay (Julie) Gronroos; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 12, from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service in St. John's Lutheran Church in Wrenshall, followed by coffee and dessert in the parish hall.
Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.northlandfuneralhome.com .
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January 3, 2007
- Cloquet, Minn.
