Anita Heikkinen
WAUWATOSA, WI — Our beloved, Anita Celia Heikkinen, affectionately known as “Anita,” wife, mother, grandmother, friend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, was born into eternal life on January 11, 2024.
Anita was born on March 24, 1940 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and raised in a Christian home. She had five brothers and two half-brothers. This upbringing through her childhood and teenage years shaped the strong woman she became. Her foundation: faith in Christ, focus on family, “tomboy” toughness and high-school cheerleader beauty and influence.
Wife of Arthur Wesley (“Wes”) Heikkinen, they married on October 31, 1959. Over 64 years of marriage, she modeled love, loyalty and laughter.
Mother of Peter, Cindy, Patrick and Kurt, Anita imparted her Christian values upon her children, teaching them how to pray, worship, give thanks, ask for grace and love the Lord. Every single day, she showed her care, love and sacrifice to her children. For several years, she was the “team mom” before the term ever existed.
Grandmother to Benjamin, Brianna, Samantha, Megan and Daniel she continued to model love, laughter and sacrifice. Grandma was always there – hosting sleepovers, babysitting, driving and picking up from school, attending concerts, sporting events, graduations and every other event of significance. She was always proud of them. She kept up with the times to stay in touch – texting and with facetime. Sometimes those “pocket dials” even happened when she was right next to her loved ones!
Friend to many over the years, she’ll forever be remembered as kind, caring, funny, loving, energetic and humble. She loved her Bible Study groups and serving at Church. Beyond spending time with family, gardening was her primary passion. She also loved bargain shopping, watching sports and taking vacations back to the U.P.
Servant of Christ, she lived a faithful and fulfilling life here on Earth and now lives with Him eternally.
Anita was preceded into Heaven by her parents (Axel and Celia Olson), brothers (Charles, Axel Leonard and Andrew (LaVonne)) and half-brothers (Philip (the late Myra) and Stewart (the late Evelyn)). She is survived by her husband (Arthur Wesley Heikkinen) children (Peter Heikkinen, Cindy Heikkinen, Patrick (Wendy) Heikkinen and Kurt (Doreen) Heikkinen) and grandchildren (Benjamin (Jennifer), Brianna, Samantha, Megan and Daniel). She is further survived by her brothers (Peter (Gail) Olson and Robert (Janet) Olson).
Anita was a member of Living Hope Lutheran Church in West Allis, WI. Visitation will be in the Church building on Good Shepherd’s Campus on Saturday, January 27 from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. with a funeral service immediately following. Good Shepherd’s Campus, 1337 South 100th Street in West Allis, Wisconsin 53214.