Helen S. Rankinen

Helen Nikkila was born in Wainola, on November 19, 1925, daughter of Kalle “Charles” and Emma Nikkila.

She is survived by her children, Wanda, Sara, Jan and Jason; grandchildren, Emma, Isaac, Olaf, Theodore, Lena, Ana, Richard, Lauren and Jordan; great-grandchildren, Harper, Harlow, Korbin, Kahlan, Dominik and Oliver. Helen was one of ten siblings and is survived by sisters, Elsie and Eva Nikkila; sister-in-law, Nancy and her husband, Edward (Kangas); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen graduated from Mass City High School in 1944 and attended Suomi College (now Finlandia University).

She married Reverend E. Olaf Rankinen in 1950 and celebrated 54 years of marriage prior to his death in 2004.

Helen was a steadfast partner with Olaf in delivering Christ’s message to parishes and communities throughout their life together in such diverse locations as Wing, North Dakota; San Antonio, Texas; Peabody, Massachusetts; Conneaut and Mansfield, Ohio; Upper Michigan; High Level, Alberta and Helsinki, Finland.

Helen made sure the home in each of these locations, some of which had very challenging environments, was rooted in Christian values, stable and sensitive to the needs of family and Olaf’s ministry.

There was a real pioneering aspect to Helen and Olaf’s life journey embodied early in their marriage by service in Wing, North Dakota, during the “hay-lift” winters fraught with “keyhole blizzards” from 1950 to 1951.

Later in life this pioneering was repeated when Helen and Olaf moved to High Level, Alberta, Canada, to serve in the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) from 1972 to 1975, once again experiencing harsh winters in a small isolated community. This was followed by a winter spent in Helsinki, Finland, during Olaf’s service there as a teacher.

When not taking care of home and family, Helen pursued reading, bowling, knitting, needlework and raising flowers. She loved to watch sports, particularly golf. Her African Violets always brightened the home and were a pleasure to see.

Fourth of July gatherings at her home in South Range, were festive events centered on the delightful buffet Helen prepared and blessed with the participation of each new generation.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Reverend E. Olaf Rankinen Scholarship Fund at Finlandia University.

Helen will be buried in Greenland Cemetery in Greenland.