Obituary for Clifford E. Koivisto
Clifford E. Koivisto, 87, of
Ironwood, died Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Ironwood. He was born July 12, 1924, in Ironwood, son of
the late Jacob and Mary (Mattson) Koivisto, and graduated from Luther L. Wright
High School in 1942. He then entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in England
during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a corporal in
1946. Following his discharge, Cliff returned to
Ironwood and played a year of semi-pro baseball for the Chicago White Sox. He
worked in the Penokee Mine for eleven years and the Ironwood Fire Department for
30 years, retiring as chief in 1976. Cliff was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran
Church in Ironwood and a member of Ironwood V.F.W. Post 1823. He was very active
in coaching Little League Baseball and loved spending time with his
family. On March 1, 1947, He was married to Dorothy
Mattila in Ironwood. She preceded him in death on June 3, 1999. Surviving are two sons, Clifford D., Ironwood,
and Donald (Pam), Ellsworth; a daughter, Kathryn Behrendt, Ironwood; eight
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Eugene (Ruth), Beaver
Island; a sister, Ruth Johnson, Ironwood; a brother-in-law, Blaise Erickson, and
sister-in-law, Dora Jacobson, both of Ironwood; and numerous nieces and
nephews. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded
in death by two brothers in infancy, and brothers Jack, John, William, Matt
and Carl; and sisters, Hilda Koskela and Eleanor Kivi. Out of respect for Cliff's wishes, cremation
has taken place. Private family services will be
held. Cliff's obituary may be viewed online, and
condolences given to his family, at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were with McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.
Ironwood, died Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Ironwood. He was born July 12, 1924, in Ironwood, son of
the late Jacob and Mary (Mattson) Koivisto, and graduated from Luther L. Wright
High School in 1942. He then entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in England
during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a corporal in
1946. Following his discharge, Cliff returned to
Ironwood and played a year of semi-pro baseball for the Chicago White Sox. He
worked in the Penokee Mine for eleven years and the Ironwood Fire Department for
30 years, retiring as chief in 1976. Cliff was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran
Church in Ironwood and a member of Ironwood V.F.W. Post 1823. He was very active
in coaching Little League Baseball and loved spending time with his
family. On March 1, 1947, He was married to Dorothy
Mattila in Ironwood. She preceded him in death on June 3, 1999. Surviving are two sons, Clifford D., Ironwood,
and Donald (Pam), Ellsworth; a daughter, Kathryn Behrendt, Ironwood; eight
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Eugene (Ruth), Beaver
Island; a sister, Ruth Johnson, Ironwood; a brother-in-law, Blaise Erickson, and
sister-in-law, Dora Jacobson, both of Ironwood; and numerous nieces and
nephews. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded
in death by two brothers in infancy, and brothers Jack, John, William, Matt
and Carl; and sisters, Hilda Koskela and Eleanor Kivi. Out of respect for Cliff's wishes, cremation
has taken place. Private family services will be
held. Cliff's obituary may be viewed online, and
condolences given to his family, at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were with McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.