I have just read of Sisko's death in the Finnish American Reporter. My parents, Everett Johnson and Hilda Marjamaki were married by Sisko's father, Rev Lepisto on
Sept 18, 1926. I have the Finnish Bible that Rev Lepisto gave to them on that date.  I am originally from Oulu Wisconsin and remember the Lepisto family visiting us at the farm, with Mrs Lepisto bringing a special sponge cake that she had baked. I also recall visiting in Duluth and being most impressed by the huge number of books in the library. Sisko and I were very young back then.  My sympathy to your entire family and to Aino Maria also.
May Sisko, her parents, Antti and Veikko rest in peace with their God,
Sincerely,
Marie Johnson Brandl
Mt Pleasant, Wi

Helmi was my junior high music teacher at Ericcson School; I still remember cutting out pictures to illustrate the Carnival of the Animals and listening to Carmen Jones (an Americanized version of Carmen). Whenever I hear the Grand Canyon Suite I think of her. We became reacquainted at Jarvanpaa Singers. She never let anything get her down--she really had SISU! She will be missed!

To the Family of Helmi Hammer--Condolences from Mrs. Merle Kelleher (Nancy) , South Range, with memories of singing in the Jarvenpaa Singers together. Also Merle worked with Ray.

Mary & Jeff,
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your dear mother.  May the memories of her singing help bring you comfort and peace.  Keeping you both in thought and prayer,
Twyla Rosenbaum

Mrs.Hammer was my 7th & 8th grade music teacher at the Ericcson school in Superior,WI.My favorite memory is when we sang the Twelve Days of Christmas in cute costumes for the Christmas pageant.She shared the opera Carmen and I developed a love of opera.
She was a wonderful teacher and I learned alot from her.

Mom was a fighter - and she never let the bad stuff get her down.  When I would have a bad day, she would just tell me to try and put it behind me.  Tomorrow's a new day," she would say.  She was such an optimist.

Mary,
I only met your mother a few times, but I remember her well as an incredibly strong & dynamic woman -- traits she clearly passed along to her children & grandchildren.

We went to mom's room today.  It was amazing the little things she kept all this time to remind her of her long, happy life.  A birch bark baby slipper, some books in Finnish, a snow goose from Alaska cared from walrus ivory, and a travel journal from a trip to Yellowstone were among the discoveries made.  She really did love travel and being outdoors.  The picture attached here was taken at the cabin in the summer of 2013.

My sincere condolences to the family. Helmi will always be rememberd by all the people she touched in her life.

Helmi was a very helpful woman....if we were ever in need at an Jobs Daughters event she could always be relied on.  She was very imaginative with her crafts and her cooking skills were always the best...she will be missed by many.

Susie, David and Mary all my love and condolences. Your mom took the best care of us, knew all about our family history and sewed the best clothes for us. She was one of the most interesting people I ever knew. I wish I could be there with you!

I remember mom sleeping on the couch with the dog.  She always made sure to drape the dog's ear over her neck to keep her warm.  I know how she loved her dogs, even though she was a cat person before she got married.  Dad thought cats belonged "in the barn", so she had to make the switch.

I have mom's nisuleipa recipe taped inside my kitchen cabinet door.  Nothing like nisu right out of the oven.

OBITUARY

Helmi Sisko Sivea Lepisto Hammer

7 July, 1935 – 6 December, 2014

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