Obituary of Elma Halminen

(nee Lotsari) passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, on Friday, June 10, 2016 in her 92nd year. Married in 1945 to her beloved Kauko Olavi Halminen, Elma and her family came to Canada in 1956 and settled in Oshawa. In the pioneering spirit she built and nurtured a cozy home in a new country and raised six children. Though times seemed simpler then, there were many challenges to overcome. Through her deep trust in God, her personal brand of “sisu”, wonderful friendships with the Finnish community, and a growing family she captured the true Canadian dream. Elma enjoyed many summers at the cottage in Haliburton surrounded by nature and family. Weekends were packed with visitors and Elma delighted in feeding them all. Highlights for her included joining her many grandchildren jumping directly from the sauna into the lake. As time and health permitted, winters were spent in Jupiter, Florida walking the beach with Kauko and the ever present grandchildren. Loving mother of Marja; Hannu (Karen); John (Sue); Anu (Peter) Thorne; Paul (Lisa); and Anita (Joe Hawco). Proud grandmother to Joel (Cindee), Julie (Michael), Lisa (Paul), Lori, Michael (Sue), Chris ( Jennifer), Tyson (Josy), Sarah (Rob), Holly (Shaun), Kristen, Lauren, Colton, and Gracen as well as 18 great-grandchildren. Elma was predeceased by her parents Aaro and Hilja Lotsari, her twin sister Elna Suojoki, and brother Pentti Lotsari of Turku, Finland; and is survived by a younger sister, Hilkka Axelson, of Stockholm, Sweden. Elma was a devoted wife, doting mother and loving grandmother for whom family was everything. She was the consummate cook and will be remembered for her Finnish baking specialties: Karjalan piirakka, kaali piirakka, and pulla. Long years from now as the breezes carry the echoes of the laughter of children across Eagle Lake, the memory of Elma and those halcyon years will shroud our memories in wonder. Goodbye sweet Mother - until we meet again!