Kenneth Gerald Hill

He was born to Ernest and Fanny (Wuottinen) Hill on March 29th, 1937, in Wakefield, Michigan, and spent his childhood near Marenisco, Michigan. After graduating high school, Ken joined the U.S. Navy with his cousin John Hill. Ken served in the Navy from 1955 until 1959.

After serving his country, Ken attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1965. He taught for a year in a country schoolhouse in Frazee, Minnesota, before taking a job in South Range, Michigan. He retired as a teacher from the Marquette Branch Prison at age 62.

It was love at first sight when Ken Hill saw Pirjo Poytakangas at church in Hancock, Michigan. Shortly after they met, they were married on December 21st, 1968. Ken and Pirjo were blessed with twelve children. They raised their family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Ken and Pirjo attended Laestadian Lutheran Churches in Ishpeming and later in Brainerd, Minnesota, where they settled after retirement. Their faith was most important, a sustaining power through life’s joys and challenges.

In his youth, Ken enjoyed diving Lake Superior shipwrecks. Throughout his life, he enjoyed woodworking, music and singing. He avidly read and studied the Finnish language. His writing hobby resulted in the publication of four books for children.

Above all, Ken enjoyed spending time with Pirjo. A favorite mutual hobby was gardening. Together they spent a year in Finland teaching at Reisjarvi Christian College.

Ken and Pirjo were married for nearly fifty years. Ken spent much of his retirement devoted to the care of Pirjo, who had Parkinson’s disease. He researched treatment methods and sought a cure. God called Pirjo to heaven’s home in 2016.

Ken is survived by 11 children: Leila (Geoffrey) Godfrey, Lisa (Michael) Kuopus, Sara, Jana (Chad) Mattila, Rita (Harley) Lang, Eric (Niina), Peter (Suzanne), Tina (Carl) Hoikka, Michael (Emily), Paula (David) Vilkama, Hannah (Brian) Jurmu; sister: Mary Ann (Ronald) Meredith; sister-in-law Evelyn Hill; 55 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Ken is preceded in death by his wife: Pirjo and son: John (“Jussi”); his parents: Ernest and Fanny and his brother: Carl.

There will be a visitation on Friday, February 10th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Monticello Laestadian Lutheran Church, followed by a funeral service at the same location at 12:00 p.m.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.