Retired Covenant minister Onni Putikka died on December 26, 2021, in Eveleth, Minnesota. He was 94.
Onni Melvin Putikka was born to Victor and Hilma Putikka on November 3, 1927, in Sebeka, Minnesota. He was the tenth of eleven children and grew up on the family farm, attending Hay Creek Country School. When his four older brothers were serving in the military, Onni stayed home for a time to help on the farm. He returned to school halfway through his senior year, graduating from Sebeka High School in 1947.
Onni was drafted into the United States Army on November 30, 1950. He was in the 10th Infantry Division. He volunteered for the 11th Airborne as a paratrooper. Onni was a member of the first class of jump school at Fort Campell, Kentucky. He then joined the motor pool. He was proud to have participated in the Honor Flight Northland on June 7, 2014.
Onni married Arlita Mohawk on May 9, 1952, in Alexandria, Minnesota. They met through his Army buddy and spent months writing letters back and forth. Together they had five children.
He was baptized on January 22, 1958. Onni and Arlita served for more than eleven years at a Christian family camp in Federal Dam, Minnesota, where he was one of the head counselors, mail carrier, road grader, financial administrator, and bus driver, among numerous other roles. Onni was elected town mayor without even running for the position. He held Bible studies in Grand Rapids and Angora, Minnesota, weekly.
Onni went to “fill in” for two Sundays at Calvary Covenant Church in Northome, Minnesota—and pastored there for more than 27 years until his retirement in 2010. In retirement, Onni continued to pray and counsel people from his recliner, either in person or over the phone.
Onni was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Arlita; four brothers, Rudy, Oliver, Edwin, and John; five sisters, Lydia Putikka, Elma Rhoda, Anita Kolehmainen, Jean Wagner, and Verna Pearl.
He is survived by his daughters, Rhonda Bond (Michael), Diane Hage, and Naomi Johnson (Douglas); sons, Victor (Carmyn) and John; sister, Edith Swenson; ten grandchildren, Melanie, Andrew, Jesse, Heather, Andrea, John, Gordon, Jerusha, Joshua, and Cody; eight
great-grandchildren, Maddy, Bryce, Aunna, Alexander, Andrew, Kyler, Allie, and Kahlia; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life was held on June 11, 2022, at First Church of God, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, followed by full military honors by the Grand Rapids Area Veterans. The burial occurred later at Hay Creek Cemetery, Sebeka, Minnesota.
Peace be to his memory.
