Ishpeming Twp. - The Lord called Kenneth J. R. Walimaa home on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the age of 88 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He was from Ishpeming Twp and resided at 1945 North Lake Drive.

Kenneth John Rudolph Walimaa was born September 8, 1927 in Ishpeming to John J. & Adeline (Korpi) Walimaa. He was a 1946 graduate of Ishpeming High School and received an associate degree from Northern Michigan University. Ken served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked 15 years for the J&L Research Lab in Negaunee and then as an instructor at Northern Michigan University in the waste water department for 20 years where he retired from in 1988.

With Ken's background in wastewater he was instrumental in the development of the Ishpeming Townships water treatment plant, and served on the Ishpeming Area Wastewater Treatment Board. He was also very instrumental in the building of the Ishpeming Township Hall where he served as the Ishpeming Twp Supervisor and was a member of the Ishpeming Township Volunteer Fire Department, being honored as the Fireman of the Year in 2001. With the formation of the N.I.C.E. Community School District, Ken was involved with the process of finding the proper location for Westwood High School.

Ken was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church and a life member of the Ishpeming ELKS Lodge #447 where he was a member for 51 years. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed spending time at camp on Big Perch Lake. Ken also enjoyed watching Finland Calling and cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Tigers.

Ken is survived by 4 children: Cynthia (Scott) Johnson of Petoskey, MI, Jon (Blanche) Walimaa of Kingsford, Gail (Dr. Lloyd) Hooper of Ishpeming, and Gary (Julie) Walimaa of Negaunee, a sister Vivian Ebner of Hemet, CA, 6 grandchildren: Eric (Jessica) Hooper, Kirk (Kate) Hooper, Phillip J. Walimaa, Tyler Walimaa, Abby Walimaa and April Walimaa, nieces, nephews and his special friend Linnea Werner. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, wife Taimi in 2006, brother in law Ozzie Ebner, brother in law & sister in law Toivo & Blanche Kallio.

Funeral services for Ken will be held at 5:00pm on Thursday September 24, 2015 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Lauri O Maki officiating.

Ken's family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church from 2:30pm until the time of service at 5:00pm. The Ishpeming ELKS Lodge will conduct its memorial service at 3:00pm, followed by a honor service by the Ishpeming Twp Volunteer Fire Department.

Military honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 380.

A luncheon will be held following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Pallbearers will be Ken's grandchildren, along with Norman Bjorne, Bernie Mattila and David Kallio

Memorial considerations may be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church or the Ishpeming ELKS Lodge Scholarship Fund in memory of Ken.


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

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .