Mikko Sibakov THE PAS, Manitoba Obituary

Mikko Sibakov

Mikko Mikael Sibakov was born Sunday, November 13, 1932 to Leo and Klaudia Sibakov in Muolaa, Finland near the Russian border. Mikko learned to speak fluent Russian and when he was 7 years old, his family moved to western Finland where he attended a Swedish speaking school. Four years later, they relocated to central Finland and Mikko was then able to attend a Finnish school. At the age of 16 years, Mikko went to work in the Papermill in Valkeakoski, Finland and went on to become the youngest machine tender in the mill's history. Mikko entered the Finnish army on Sept. 21, 1951 in Hameenlinna. He was in the infantry regiment number 4 where he served for 9 months. Mikko was a marksman and received gold for rifle shooting. After his basic training, Mikko was recommended for special forces as platoon leader at Hameenlina's officer school. He served here until June 8, 1953 and often talked about the hard physical and mental training, including skiing 40 kms every day and 20 kms daily marches. Mikko was an athlete. He trained very hard in running as well as skiing. In 1952, he ran the mile in 4:15 seconds. It was only a few years later the 4:00 mile was broken by Roger Bannister. Mikko was invited to go to the European Championships but, because of military duty, he was not allowed to go. In 1970, Mikko immigrated to Canada in order to start up the paper machines for Churchill Forest Industries in The Pas. He remained working for the mill until January 1998 when he retired. In 1971, Mikko met his future wife Bernice, and in their 38 years together, had two children, Mikael and Lindsay. Mikko was always very proud of his children's accomplishments in life and loved his family dearly. He adored his grandson Bailey and spent many hours walking with him outdoors along the river. His friends and co-workers meant a lot to him and he loved nothing better than to sit and socialize with them. He was an avid bowler both in Finland and The Pas and had many trophies to show for it. He spent many years as a guide for ski trips in Finland as well as thirteen years with the Valkeakoski Fire Dept. as a fireman, paramedic and scuba diver. He received two awards from the city during this time for his exemplary service. Mikko loved to help people and was a volunteer for the Boy Scout Camp Committee, Meals on Wheels, Operation Red Nose, the Legion bingos over the past 3 years, and was a Pasindco life long member. He never missed cooking for their annual golf tournament as well as the mill's annual Children's Xmas party for over 20 years. Mikko gave 100% of himself to anything he did and was always ready to jump in and help anyone. Mikko loved the outdoors and spent countless weekends with his buddies on fishing trips to their "special camp" on Mitchell Lake. He always said they were fishing trips, but we never saw any fish when he returned home. He never got tired of physical work and thought nothing of going into the bush, cutting a cord of wood, unloading it and cutting it into short pieces and then stacking it neatly under the deck - all in one stretch. He was doing this right up until the time of his illness. After his retirement from the mill, he spent every spring and fall helping the farmers with their crops. Mikko passed away peacefully, Saturday, December 19, 2009 at St. Anthony's Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, age 77 years after a courageous battle with cancer. Mikko is survived by his wife and partner of 38 years, Bernice; son Mikael (Brandy); daughter Lindsay; grandson Bailey Sibakow-Pich; step grandchildren Caleb and Kaitlee Stener; sisters Siina (Rurik) Ostman (The Pas), Nadja (Tuure) Salomaa (Florida), Galina (Juusi) Nygren (Helsinki), Tatjana (Jouko) Murto (Valkeakoski, Finland) and Vera (Joe) Buetti (New York); father-in-law Ralph Strand (Kelowna, BC); sisters-in-law Marlene (Ernie) Boback (Kelowna, BC), Phyllis (Bill) Willox (Lake Medigoche, MB) and Vera Clark (Kelowna, BC), as well as many nephews and nieces and extended family in Finland. Mikko was predeceased by his parents Leo and Klaudia; brother Vladi; mother-in-law Madeleine Strand; brothers-in-law Ralph Strand and David Strand; nephew Pertti Salomaa. In keeping with Mikko’s wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Mikko’s life was held Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 2:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, The Pas, Manitoba with James Hemauer presiding. Memories of the heart were shared by Terese Ostman, Rurik Ostman and Phyllis Willox. A slide show of Mikko’s life was shown. Royal Canadian Legion tribute was given by Murray Harvey. Following the service everyone was invited to a time of fellowship and refreshment at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Legion Honour Guard was Murray Harvey, Duke Dutkiewicz, Jack Watkins, Doug Goldstrand, Claude Joyal, David Grant and Bruce Campbell. Honorary Pallbearers were everyone in attendance at the service. If friends so desire, donations to The Pas and Area Humane Society, Box 4005, The Pas, MB, R9A 1S5 would be appreciated by Mikko’s family.
November 14, 1932 - December 19, 200911/14/193212/19/2009
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Mikko Mikael Sibakov was born Sunday, November 13, 1932 to Leo and Klaudia Sibakov in Muolaa, Finland near the Russian border. Mikko learned to speak fluent Russian and when he was 7 years old, his family moved to western Finland where he attended a Swedish speaking school. Four years later, they relocated to central Finland and Mikko was then able to attend a Finnish school. At the age of 16 years, Mikko went to work in the Papermill in Valkeakoski, Finland and went on to become the youngest machine tender in the mill's history. Mikko entered the Finnish army on Sept. 21, 1951 in Hameenlinna. He was in the infantry regiment number 4 where he served for 9 months. Mikko was a marksman and received gold for rifle shooting. After his basic training, Mikko was recommended for special forces as platoon leader at Hameenlina's officer school. He served here until June 8, 1953 and often talked about the hard physical and mental training, including skiing 40 kms every day and 20 kms daily marches. Mikko was an athlete. He trained very hard in running as well as skiing. In 1952, he ran the mile in 4:15 seconds. It was only a few years later the 4:00 mile was broken by Roger Bannister. Mikko was invited to go to the European Championships but, because of military duty, he was not allowed to go. In 1970, Mikko immigrated to Canada in order to start up the paper machines for Churchill Forest Industries in The Pas. He remained working for the mill until January 1998 when he retired. In 1971, Mikko met his future wife Bernice, and in their 38 years together, had two children, Mikael and Lindsay. Mikko was always very proud of his children's accomplishments in life and loved his family dearly. He adored his grandson Bailey and spent many hours walking with him outdoors along the river. His friends and co-workers meant a lot to him and he loved nothing better than to sit and socialize with them. He was an avid bowler both in Finland and The Pas and had many trophies to show for it. He spent many years as a guide for ski trips in Finland as well as thirteen years with the Valkeakoski Fire Dept. as a fireman, paramedic and scuba diver. He received two awards from the city during this time for his exemplary service. Mikko loved to help people and was a volunteer for the Boy Scout Camp Committee, Meals on Wheels, Operation Red Nose, the Legion bingos over the past 3 years, and was a Pasindco life long member. He never missed cooking for their annual golf tournament as well as the mill's annual Children's Xmas party for over 20 years. Mikko gave 100% of himself to anything he did and was always ready to jump in and help anyone. Mikko loved the outdoors and spent countless weekends with his buddies on fishing trips to their "special camp" on Mitchell Lake. He always said they were fishing trips, but we never saw any fish when he returned home. He never got tired of physical work and thought nothing of going into the bush, cutting a cord of wood, unloading it and cutting it into short pieces and then stacking it neatly under the deck - all in one stretch. He was doing this right up until the time of his illness. After his retirement from the mill, he spent every spring and fall helping the farmers with their crops. Mikko passed away peacefully, Saturday, December 19, 2009 at St. Anthony's Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, age 77 years after a courageous battle with cancer. Mikko is survived by his wife and partner of 38 years, Bernice; son Mikael (Brandy); daughter Lindsay; grandson Bailey Sibakow-Pich; step grandchildren Caleb and Kaitlee Stener; sisters Siina (Rurik) Ostman (The Pas), Nadja (Tuure) Salomaa (Florida), Galina (Juusi) Nygren (Helsinki), Tatjana (Jouko) Murto (Valkeakoski, Finland) and Vera (Joe) Buetti (New York); father-in-law Ralph Strand (Kelowna, BC); sisters-in-law Marlene (Ernie) Boback (Kelowna, BC), Phyllis (Bill) Willox (Lake Medigoche, MB) and Vera Clark (Kelowna, BC), as well as many nephews and nieces and extended family in Finland. Mikko was predeceased by his parents Leo and Klaudia; brother Vladi; mother-in-law Madeleine Strand; brothers-in-law Ralph Strand and David Strand; nephew Pertti Salomaa. In keeping with Mikko’s wishes, cremation took place and a service of remembrance to celebrate Mikko’s life was held Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 2:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, The Pas, Manitoba with James Hemauer presiding. Memories of the heart were shared by Terese Ostman, Rurik Ostman and Phyllis Willox. A slide show of Mikko’s life was shown. Royal Canadian Legion tribute was given by Murray Harvey. Following the service everyone was invited to a time of fellowship and refreshment at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Legion Honour Guard was Murray Harvey, Duke Dutkiewicz, Jack Watkins, Doug Goldstrand, Claude Joyal, David Grant and Bruce Campbell. Honorary Pallbearers were everyone in attendance at the service. If friends so desire, donations to The Pas and Area Humane Society, Box 4005, The Pas, MB, R9A 1S5 would be appreciated by Mikko’s family.

Events

Dec
30
Service
Wednesday, December 30 2009
02:00 PM
Royal Canadian Legion - The Pas
4 Veterans Way
THE PAS, MB R9A 1K5
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