by Karen Hilliard, daughter of Arthur Hulkonen

Mr. Hulkonen was instrumental in assisting regular contributor Stewart A. McFerran with his history on The Saunas of Kaleva. We are indebted to him for sharing his family’s stories.

Arthur Hulkonen, 93, of Kaleva died on April 25, 2016.  He was born in the Upper Penninsula in Nisula, Michigan on April 13, 1923.  He was 1 of 12 children born to Henry and Hilda (Juntunen) Hullkonen who immigrated to the United States from Suomussalmi, Finland in the early 1900s.

Art served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge on 12/19/1944.  He spent 5 months as a POW in a labor camp near Dresden, Germany.

After discharge from the army, Art arrived in Kaleva on June 29, 1945 where his older brother was living.  He met his wife (Mildred) and was married for 65 years before her death in 2012.

Art was a local farmer and businessman.  Along with his brother Gunnard they started Kaleva Poultry Farm and Hatchery in 1945 and operated this until 1978.  The two brothers grew strawberries from 1945 to 1978 and also, in 1945 they started planting Christmas trees and went on to sell these for 50 years across the country.  Art went on to work for International Chemical Company and later Agrico Chemical Company.  At that time Kaleva was a central hub for farmers and he operated the local fertilizer plant in Kaleva for 30 years until his retirement in 1985.

He was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Kaleva since 1945. He was a charter member of the Kaleva Lions Club.  He was proud of his Finnish heritage and served on the Finnish Council at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan for many years.  At the time of his death he was the last Finnish speaking member in the community of Kaleva.

He loved Kaleva and spent 70 years actively involved in his community.  In September 2015 the Village of Kaleva and Kaleva Historical Society honored him for his community service and business contributions to Kaleva by placing his name on the Sculpture Tree at the Kaleva Centennial Walkway.

Art was the eternal optimist.  He loved jokes and reciting poetry.  He had a great appreciation for life and plenty of “Sisu” the Finnish word for perseverance and determination. Being surrounded by his family was his greatest joy.   He is survived by his three children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.