Doris M. (Koskela) Heikkinen

Doris was born August 26, 1921, in Virginia, Minnesota, but grew up in Floodwood, Minnesota.

Doris earned her R.N degree from the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in 1943. She entered the field of occupational health nursing in 1957 at the Fisher Body Division of GMC and served there 25 years, retiring December 31, 1982.

She was known for sharing her faith with all she met at the plant. On June 26, 1948, she married John Heikkinen and they assumed ownership of the present Heikkinen Estate, LLC.

They later moved to the Detroit area, purchasing a home in Westland. After 30 years of employment, the couple returned to Toivola to enjoy their retirement years.

Doris and John were members of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toivola, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Redford, and in their retirement, the South Range Apostolic Lutheran Church, where Doris served as organist for several years.

She and John were also life members of the Finnish Center Association in Farmington Hills and honorary members of the Heikkinen Estate, LLC.

Among Doris’ interests and activities were the organization of an employee Christian Fellowship group at Fisher Body Plant in Livonia, choir and other musical ministries in each church they attended, composing poetry and songs, some of which have been published, compiling family genealogies, membership in the Toivola Centennial Committee, and coordinating the publication of the memorabilia displayed at the Centennial Celebration in 1992, the name of which book is “Pictures From The Past.”

Doris was a member of the Swedish Hospital Alumnae Association of Minneapolis and was honored to have her poetic tribute prominently featured in their recently published book, “A True Nurse,” a pictorial collection of memories of student nurse days compiled and edited by historian/author Daniel Hoisington in 1994.

In 2004, Doris moved back to Westland and was an active resident of the Village of Westland, winning a gold medal three consecutive years in a Village Victory Cup Competition at the age of 86.

Surviving Doris are her three children and families, Linda (Rev. Dr. A. Raymond) Babin, Peter (Anne) Heikkinen and Donna (Jeffrey) Furton; grandchildren, Kelly (Paul) Peterson, John Beehler, David (Sarah) Heikkinen, Steven Heikkinen, Laura Heikkinen, Joseph (Stephanie) Furton, Andrew Furton, Susy (Fred) Nixon, Scott (Michelle) Babin and Anne Babin; great-grandchildren, Kalle Beehler, Julia Heikkinen, Rachel Heikkinen, Tara Heikkinen, Abigail Furton and Jacob Furton; and step-great-grandchildren, Christopher and Erin Yonker of Georgia and Zachary Babin.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Samuel and Olga Koskela; a brother, Wesley; an infant sister; her sisters, Laura Koskela and Joyce (Dean) Wennberg; her beloved husband, John; brother-in-law, Oswald (“Ray”) Heikkinen; and four sisters-in-law, Helga (Fritz) Simonson, Ida (Al) Lehikoinen, Ellen (Eslie) Lampi and Irene (Phil) Aho; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Celebration Lutheran Church, 9300 Farmington Road, Livonia.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home in Farmington.

Graveside service will be on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Toivola Cemetery, with local arrangements by Mountain View Mortuary in South Range. The family will receive guests immediately afterward at the Heikkinen Estate in Toivola.

Memorials are suggested to the Celebration Lutheran Church, 9300 Farmington Road, Livonia, 48150, the South Range Apostolic Lutheran Church, 11 Whealkate Avenue, South Range, 49963, or the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary, 916 Pine Street, Hancock, 49930, the Heikkinen Estate LLC, c/o Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Aveune, Farmington, 48335 or the organization of your choice.