Irving Raphel Wirkkunen

Irving Raphel Wirkkunen, 83, Gackle, ND died Saturday evening February 25, 2006 at the Jamestown Hospital in Jamestown, ND.

Irving Wirkkunen was born December 18, 1922 on the family farm near Gackle, ND, the son of Otto Wirkkunen and Aina (Kaustinen) Wirkkunen. He attended the local rural school where he received his elementary education and grew to manhood in the vicinity.

He and Ellen Niskanen were married June 4, 1944 at her parent's home. They made their home on the Wirkkunen farm. In 1956 they moved to a farm just SE of Gackle where they resided until moving into Gackle in 1995 where they have contined to reside.
He was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gackle. Irving enjoyed going fishing, skiing in the winter time, and hunting. He liked to do woodworking, making beautiful things for his family. He also loved to play the harmonica and also had a large pen and pencil collection. He was an avid crosswork puzzle solver.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen, Gackle, ND, 3 children, Judy (John) Orvik, Casselton, ND, Diane (Michael) Schindeldecker, New Praque, MN, Les (Rose) Wirkkunen, Germantown, MD, 3 grandchildren, Rich Orvik, Helsinki, Finland, Catherine Orvik, Fargo, ND, Shane Hofmann, Belle Plaine, MN, 6 step grandchildren, Christian Endo, Jackie (William) Yu, Ben (Rhonda) Reyes, Christina Thielbar, Stephanie and Mike Schindeldecker, 5 step great-grandchildren, Ciana, Jadyn and Kalyn Yu, Jordon and Ryan Reyes, 1 great-great granddaughter, Hailey Thielbar, 1 brother, Oscar (Sylvia) Wirkkunen, Seattle, WA, and 1 sister, Sylvia Kannisto, Farmington Hills, MI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers, Everett, and Ernest, 1 step sister, Barbara.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday February 28, 2006 in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Gackle, ND, with Rev. Russ Pollock, pastor officiating.
The interment will be made in the Saarie Cemetery south of Gackle, ND.
Visitation - 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Monday @ the funeral home