Obituary for Allen A. Hamari
NEW BRIGHTON, MN – Allen Hamari, 92, of New Brighton, Minn., formerly of Kingsford, Mich., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 following lengthy health challenges.
Al was born September 19, 1928, in Kingsford Mich., son of the late Toivo and Hilda (Rytioja) Hamari. He graduated from Kingsford High School and proudly served his country during the Korean War. As a MSU graduate, Al counted himself amongst the faithful Spartan football fans, a sport that he grew up playing. After graduating from MSU, Al had a successful career in the paper industry where he ultimately retired from Champion International. In his post retirement years, Al went on to drive school buses for the New Brighton MN school district and was loved by the students who were fortunate to be on his route or charter.
In his younger years, Al enjoyed ski jumping and was one of the "Flying Hamaris" along with his brothers, and loved to talk about his competitive “long jumps”. He loved fishing, photography, painting, and sketching which were created through many of his talented artistic gifts. Al was also a very passionate “genealogist” as he documented the “Hamari” family tree with thousands of photographs accumulated from world travels, especially from his beloved country of Finland. But most important of all, it was Al’s love for the Lord and his steadfast faith that influenced many people to find the same that encapsulates the essence of who he was.
He is survived by his very devoted wife Kathleen Hamari; son; Tim Oatley (Lisa) and his daughters Jessica(Alex) Martin; Stephanie(Josh) Rajala; son Tom Oatley (Erin) and his daughter Alicia; a brother, Donald Hamari; a sister, Helen Wickman; sister-in-law Garon Hamari; sister-in-law Barb Hamari; along with 2 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by; two sisters, Hilka Bartolameolli and Lila Makela; and three brothers, Duane Hamari, Roy Hamari, and Rueben Hamari.
Al blessed many lives throughout his lifetime and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Graveside services will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Breitung Township Cemetery, Quinnesec, Mich. Pastor James Danielson will officiate. The Uren Cooper Johnson American Legion Post #50, Iron Mountain, will accord Military Honors at graveside. The family also respectfully requests, for the safety of the family and others, that social distancing guidelines be applied.
Memorial gifts on behalf of Allen Hamari towards the DICSA , 1238 Carpenter Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, to help meet the needs of others, would be greatly appreciated.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Allen’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Allen’s legacy of life.
Al was born September 19, 1928, in Kingsford Mich., son of the late Toivo and Hilda (Rytioja) Hamari. He graduated from Kingsford High School and proudly served his country during the Korean War. As a MSU graduate, Al counted himself amongst the faithful Spartan football fans, a sport that he grew up playing. After graduating from MSU, Al had a successful career in the paper industry where he ultimately retired from Champion International. In his post retirement years, Al went on to drive school buses for the New Brighton MN school district and was loved by the students who were fortunate to be on his route or charter.
In his younger years, Al enjoyed ski jumping and was one of the "Flying Hamaris" along with his brothers, and loved to talk about his competitive “long jumps”. He loved fishing, photography, painting, and sketching which were created through many of his talented artistic gifts. Al was also a very passionate “genealogist” as he documented the “Hamari” family tree with thousands of photographs accumulated from world travels, especially from his beloved country of Finland. But most important of all, it was Al’s love for the Lord and his steadfast faith that influenced many people to find the same that encapsulates the essence of who he was.
He is survived by his very devoted wife Kathleen Hamari; son; Tim Oatley (Lisa) and his daughters Jessica(Alex) Martin; Stephanie(Josh) Rajala; son Tom Oatley (Erin) and his daughter Alicia; a brother, Donald Hamari; a sister, Helen Wickman; sister-in-law Garon Hamari; sister-in-law Barb Hamari; along with 2 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by; two sisters, Hilka Bartolameolli and Lila Makela; and three brothers, Duane Hamari, Roy Hamari, and Rueben Hamari.
Al blessed many lives throughout his lifetime and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Graveside services will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Breitung Township Cemetery, Quinnesec, Mich. Pastor James Danielson will officiate. The Uren Cooper Johnson American Legion Post #50, Iron Mountain, will accord Military Honors at graveside. The family also respectfully requests, for the safety of the family and others, that social distancing guidelines be applied.
Memorial gifts on behalf of Allen Hamari towards the DICSA , 1238 Carpenter Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, to help meet the needs of others, would be greatly appreciated.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Allen’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Allen’s legacy of life.