Ishpeming- Carl William Hytinen, age 89, lifelong National Mine resident passed away on Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Eastwood Nursing Center where he had resided since February of 2013.

Survivors include his son Michael (Lark) Hytinen of Champion, granddaughter Cara Hytinen of Penn State University College of Law, a sister Irene Kainulainen of Ishpeming, daughter Donna Steve of Ishpeming, granddaughter Kim (Fred) Koski of Ishpeming, great grandsons Bradley and Tyler Koski, granddaughter Guinevere (Tony) Kulie of Lakewood Ranch Florida, great grandchildren - Lauren Mattila, Chase Mattila, and Ella Lundin, niece Lynn (Ray) Kenny of Lake Michgamme, niece Eleanor (Don) Maki of Florida, and special friends Louie and Beverly Wernholm.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Lydia Hytinen, brother Arthur (Rosalie) Hytinen, sister Aili Benvenue, granddaughter Billie Jo Walsh, nephew Gene Benvenue, and special cousin and best friend Toivo Maki.

It was a long, at times difficult, yet joyful and deliberate journey of nearly 90 years for Carl. He was born to Joseph and Lydia (Maki) Hytinen June 18, 1925 in Palmer Michigan and moved to National Mine as a baby. His early years were spent in the middle of the great depression. When he eventually set about attending school, he was very unhappy to be sent home from kindergarten for speaking Finnish, and his lack of fluency in the English language.

After sharpening his English skills, he returned to school, where he excelled. Carl grew early on to be a "mountain of a man" for his generation and lean upbringing. Consequently, he had to quit school at a very early age to work in the woods logging in order to help his family financially. He placed a very high value on education, and although he was never able to return to school, devoured every piece of literature and knowledge he could from the world around him. He was also very proud of reading, writing and speaking Finnish, and did so at every opportunity his entire life.

Carl worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron company for 34 years and two months. He started at the Cliff Shaft mine, then moved to the Humboldt mine, worked at the Republic mine for a year , and finally, retiring from the Tilden mine in 1987. He was affectionately known as big "Red" by his friends and co- workers for his fiery red hair and great size and strength. Although his hair and size could have made him brassy and bullish, he was instead praised for his quiet demeanor and steadfast work ethic. These were traits he wore like a red badge of courage his whole life through.
Big Red didn't say much, but when he did, people listened.

Carl enjoyed many activities, Sauna, Hunting, fishing, trapping, picking berries, gardening, mowing, cutting, splitting and stacking wood. Most of these interests grew from necessity. His attitude was, if I have to do them, I might as well enjoy it. He was right, after all you can't have a Sauna without wood, you can't eat a blue berry pie without picking berries, you get the idea. The things he did because he loved them were swimming, snow- mobiling, horseshoes, softball and traveling. He was a lifelong member of the Faith Lutheran Church.

His two trips to Finland, one in 1978 with his wife Evelyn and one in 2000 with son Michael and granddaughter Cara, were the highlights of his travel. He was in his glory acting as both interpreter and guide. His Finnish heritage was a great sense of pride to him, and he instilled it in his children and grandchildren. As a tradition, a Finnish flag has flown below the American flag in the Hytinen yard for many years, and will continue to fly, as a testimony to his pride and memory. Carl lost his beloved "Aiti" (his wife) and best friend March 20, 2005, he was lost without her. Now there are two bright stars in the heavens above "Finn Farm" watching over us all.

He came to live with his son Michael, wife Lark and granddaughter Cara soon after "Loveys" passing. For the remainder of his golden years, he lived adored, respected, and catered to, as the "King of the Manor". He never asked or wanted anything, all was given freely, with a smile. As far as his family was concerned, he deserved so much more.

He rode his golf cart around the property with a walker sticking out one side, a chain saw on the seat next to him, and a shot gun stuck in the back golf club carrier rack, convinced he could do ALL with one hand on his walker. His daughter in law was constantly chasing him down, trying to stop the "Finnish "madness. He drove that golf cart as fast as it could possibly go, affectionately earning the name "NAS-CARL".

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because we have lived. THIS is to have succeeded."
By this standard, Carl William Hytinen was an extremely successful man.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, July 3, 2015 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Co Rd 581, Ishpeming, with the Rev. Dave Johnson to officiate. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00pm until the time of service. Interment has taken place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A desert social will follow in the church hall, those attending are encouraged to bring a desert dish. The family requests no other forms of sympathy be brought to the service.

OLE POPPA, farewell for now. We love you and we will miss you terribly. We'll see you in the by and by, and don't worry we'll bring rice pudding....

Carl's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.