Obituary for Archie Walfrid Luhtala
Archie Walfrid Luhtala was born May 2, 1927 in New Finland, SK to Veino Maria (Mary) Filpula and Walter Rudolf Luhtala. He lived with his mother and grandparents until he was seven and his parents could afford to get married. Growing up he went to many different schools as his parents moved to Ontario and back. As a young man he worked for farmers for $1 a day. Sometimes he came home too tired to even eat. He worked in logging camps and for an airplane factory in Ontario. Archie’s first attempt at farming failed when the cattle got brucellosis, and all had to be put down. He bought a truck and hauled grain and played in a band. This is how he met Florence. He would get one dance off per night and Florence would be waiting. Archie married Florence Roper November 1st of 1959; of this union 3 children were born and one miscarried: Stewart 1959, Linda 1960, and Ralph 1962.
Once married he worked building the K1 potash mine until he bought a store in Tantallon which he named Archie’s Grocery. In 1970, he and his family moved to the Antii Kangas farm. This was his greatest joy. He loved the farm and spent some of the happiest days of his life there.
Archie was a very calm and sweet man; a true country gentleman and a wonderful patriarch for our family. If strife should occur he would say, “Oh, we’ll get along, we HAVE to. We’re family.” He told everyone he had a ‘beautiful family’ which was humbling to hear and made you want to live up to his high expectations of you.
Archie was predeceased by his parents Walter and Mary Luhtala; his son Ralph Walter; brothers-in-law Henry Roper and Lyndon Christian, sister-in-law Edna Mercer; and his dear wife of 56 years, Florence.
He leaves to mourn his passing: his son Stewart (Maria Ziorio) of Stony Plain, AB; daughter Linda (Dwight) Dancsok of Esterhazy, SK; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Christian (Shallen Mack) Jaden, Kieran and Kylan of Cold Lake, AB; Nicholas (Reba Brataschuk) of Lloydminster, AB; Sarah (Troy Gaehring) Dylan and Brooklynn of Didsbury, AB; Flora (AJ Regular) of Rocanville, SK; sisters-in-law Mary-Anne Roper and Doreen Palmer and families of Vancouver, BC and Deloris (John) Christian of Churchbridge, SK; brother-in-law James (Betty) Mercer of Regina, SK; his special aunt, Elvie Denet of Whitewood, SK; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Once married he worked building the K1 potash mine until he bought a store in Tantallon which he named Archie’s Grocery. In 1970, he and his family moved to the Antii Kangas farm. This was his greatest joy. He loved the farm and spent some of the happiest days of his life there.
Archie was a very calm and sweet man; a true country gentleman and a wonderful patriarch for our family. If strife should occur he would say, “Oh, we’ll get along, we HAVE to. We’re family.” He told everyone he had a ‘beautiful family’ which was humbling to hear and made you want to live up to his high expectations of you.
Archie was predeceased by his parents Walter and Mary Luhtala; his son Ralph Walter; brothers-in-law Henry Roper and Lyndon Christian, sister-in-law Edna Mercer; and his dear wife of 56 years, Florence.
He leaves to mourn his passing: his son Stewart (Maria Ziorio) of Stony Plain, AB; daughter Linda (Dwight) Dancsok of Esterhazy, SK; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Christian (Shallen Mack) Jaden, Kieran and Kylan of Cold Lake, AB; Nicholas (Reba Brataschuk) of Lloydminster, AB; Sarah (Troy Gaehring) Dylan and Brooklynn of Didsbury, AB; Flora (AJ Regular) of Rocanville, SK; sisters-in-law Mary-Anne Roper and Doreen Palmer and families of Vancouver, BC and Deloris (John) Christian of Churchbridge, SK; brother-in-law James (Betty) Mercer of Regina, SK; his special aunt, Elvie Denet of Whitewood, SK; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.