Ernest ”Ernie” Eino Hillukka, 68, of Cokato, MN, passed away suddenly due to heart failure on July 8, 2016, while on vacation in Kirkland, Washington.
He was born on September 3, 1947, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the eldest of three children to Eino and Miriam (Hendrickson) Hillukka. After spending his childhood in Wolf Lake and attending school in Menahga, he attended college at Bemidji State University. Later, he joined the Army Reserve, then moved to the Twin Cities.
Ernie was joined in marriage to Rauha Liisa Karvonen on April 1, 1972 in a double wedding with Rauha’s brother and his bride, Aaro and Marcella Karvonen, in Seattle, Washington. Ernie and Rauha lived for a short time in the Twin Cities and Cokato before moving to live on the family farm in Wolf Lake, Minnesota, where they lived for over 40 years. He spent his entire career at Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association and recently retired in the fall of 2014. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and grandchildren in the RV to state parks. He also spent much of his time walking – lately averaging over 20,000 steps daily.
Ernie was soft-spoken and gentle. However, his quiet sense of humor brightened many people’s days. He was respected for his honest and sincere approach to life. He was passionately interested in everything related to farming. He loved talking with farmers about all aspects of farming, window shopping for farm machinery, and observing cattle. He worked at the “moo booth” at the Minnesota State Fair for several years. He also enjoyed attending small town festivals and parades. He participated in the Wolf Lake Harvest Festival parade several years. Politics was another passion, and he was a local school board member for several years. He was a long-time member of the Wolf Lake Laestadian Lutheran Church, where he served as treasurer for several years. He was a dedicated grandfather and doted on his grandchildren. They knew he was always a reliable source for a piece of gum or licorice. He traveled to most states in the continental US and also Alaska and Hawaii. He also enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip with his wife to Australia.
Ernest is preceded in death by his parents, his son Greg, his niece Annette Hillukka, and his great-niece Aria Hillukka. He is survived by his wife Rauha; three of his children: Jodi (Patrick) Tierney of Eden Prairie, MN; Gary (Aimee) Hillukka of Cokato, MN; and Julie (Jeffrey) Early of Kirkland, WA; his daughter-in-law, Jaclyn Hillukka of Cokato, MN; his brother Elmer (Helen) Hillukka of Buffalo, MN; and his sister Elaine (Rod) Nikula of Buffalo, MN. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Faye, Slade, Cora, Bryer, Brynn, Kyla, Ladd, and Lund Hillukka; Sydney, Alex, Tenley, Knox, Griffin, and Vance Hillukka; and Tevian Early. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins, close friends, brothers and sisters in faith and many friends on Facebook.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 17, 5pm-8pm with devotion at 7pm. Funeral service will be Monday, July 18th with visitation at 10am followed by 11am service.
Both visitation and funeral services will be at Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church, 16144 20th Street SW, Cokato, MN. Burial will be at Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cokato and Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534
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