Leo Kustaa Yrjana

We find peace in knowing it was not only a reunion with old friends and family, but he was finally united with our mom and grandma Kaarina. We can only imagine the rejoicing that has taken place. By knowing that Leo was united with his loved ones, our hearts let go of the invisible string we had been holding onto.

Leo was born the fourth of seven siblings in Lohtjaja of Finland to Jalmari and Aino Yrjäna. After graduation, he attended Vaasa Training and Technical school to become an electrician, and soon after married Kaarina on August 21, 1958. Together they raised Katja and Jussi, spending their early years in Oulainen , Finland. With a $100 in his pocket, Leo and his young family immigrated to Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1967. Even though Leo arrived in Canada with little English, he was able to find work in his trade, and the children started school. Kaarina, always the adventurer, applied for jobs out west on Leo’s behalf, and in 1971 the family moved to Kitimat where he began a new job with Eurocan. Kitimat became the stepping stone for new opportunities, and soon after, the family would arrive in Campbell River, BC where Leo worked at the pulp mill until his retirement.

In 1989, Leo and Kaarina joined Jussi in Merville, where country life on the farm became his new “work”. Always fixing something and working on tractor maintenance, it was obvious Leo loved the farm. In his later years, he gave up tractor maintenance to become an irrigation specialist and blueberry gardener. He was proud of his blueberries, giant pumpkins, and the koi pond that he spent many evenings sitting beside.

Leo was active in many clubs and organizations, and spent decades providing leadership in the Finnish Free Church of Campbell River. His greatest accomplishments were not work related or volunteering, but his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He would talk of their adventures and displayed pictures of them all over his house. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, building guitars, RC boat building and music. The generational blessings poured out onto his children and grandchildren, and the life lessons that each of us gleaned from him, were a testimony to his commitment to loving Jesus.

Leo is survived by his children Katja (Norm) Kohlhammer of Okotoks, Alberta Jussi (Colleen) Yrjänä of Merville, BC and his grandchildren Oliver (Jenn), Astrid (Ryan), Avalon (Mitch), Danielle (Chris), Nick, Kelsey (Jason), Gina, and Prosperite. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren, Rachel, Ryland, Jude, Jaxx and West, and his siblings in Finland, Mauno, Leena, Liisa and Lasse. Grandpa also had a soft spot for the many little people that called him Grandpa, along with his devoted feline and best friend, Lady Partisan.

Leo was predeceased by his wife Kaarina in 2006 and his brothers Hannu and Tapio.

Many dear friends made Leo’s life less lonely, and our family is thankful for Kaisa’s friendship. As a family, we would like to thank Dr. Anderson, Pam, Wendy and Brianne and the many other homecare nurses that enabled Leo’s last days to be at home. To Nancy, Angie and all the people that helped care for Leo, we give our thanks. He spoke fondly of you all, and we know his life was made better with each of you in it.

Grandpa, we remember your love, funny sayings, and the knowledge that anytime and anywhere you were there for us. Time may soften our grief, but our memories will never fade. Although you were ready and your body was tired, we still wish you had stayed. Forever in our hearts, until we meet again.

“Holy, holy Christmas “

“Good enough in Canada”