Martin Siik

Martin Siik, age 100, died peacefully on April 1, 2009 in Madison , WI Martin was born in Karstula, Finland, on Sept. 30, 1908, to Julius and Lydia Siik.   The family emigrated to Ironwood, MI, in 1910 and when Martin was 14, they moved to Chicago where he graduated from Waller ( Lincoln Park) High School in 1926.   At Waller, Martin ran the mile, lettering in track, and met Olympic running champion Paavo Nurmi.  He married Lillian Rentola in 1935; they raised their family in Chicago until 1980 when they relocated to Wausau , WI to be near their grandchildren.   In recent years Martin moved to  Madison with his daughter.   Martin and Lillian were married for 62 years, until her death in 1997.  Together they loved to travel, dance the schottise and entertain friends with coffee and...'  In Chicago, Martin worked at Sunbeam Corporation for 31 years, first in the factory, then as department foreman, personnel director, safety program director, and he retired in 1970 as a supervisor in Quality Control.  At Sunbeam he was active in WWII support, Foreman's Club, 25 Year Club, and was president of the Speaker's Club. A highlight of his work life was writing speeches for a VP at Sunbeam. His brother also worked at Sunbeam for more than 30 years.  Martin was an active member of Trinity Finnish Lutheran Church and St. James Lutheran Church of Chicago and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Wausau. Martin was lucky to have a very long retirement and appreciated every minute of  it!    In Wausau, he was a devoted member of the Central WI Finn American Club, writing and editing their newsletter for 25 years and tirelessly organizing their events. Throughout his life, Martin was a leader in support of the culture of his beloved Finland.   He was happy to receive dual Finnish/American citizenship last year.  He was also W9PZP, an active ' ham' radio operator since his teens, talking with people all over the world in Morse code. Recently he enjoyed teaching his caregivers the radio greetings ""73 and 88"".  Music was a large part of Martin's family.   His father recorded Finnish folk songs for Columbia in the 1930's and was a choral director who gave concerts at churches and Finn Halls in the Midwest. In his 20's Martin won a Charleston dance contest!   He played piano and sang with his family in choirs. Martin was independent and active for 99 of his 100 years and though the last year was difficult with blindness and cancer, he kept his positive attitude.   He was a kind spirit who embodied the Finnish trait ""sisu"". The family gives special thanks to the loving staffs of 2nd Floor Hebron and 2nd Floor Tabor at Oakwood for their many kindnesses.   Memorials in Martin's name may be made to Finlandia University, Hancock , MI.  He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian, brother Aaro, sister Irene, nephews Gordon Peterson and Richard Siik, cousins Vi and John Nelson, Ruth and Oliver Otava, Leo Makela and brother-in-law Uno Rentola.   Martin is survived by daughter Marsha Siik of Madison, grandson Adam Siik Benedetto of Paris, granddaughter Cara Siik Benedetto of New York City, sisters- in-law Allie (Walt) Johnson and Ann Rentola of Cromwell, MN, Pearl Tharaldson of Carlton, MN, Elma Karki of Waconia, MN; niece Patricia (Charles) Palmer of Deerfield, IL, cousins Ray Laine of Naperville, IL, Martha Maki Stott of Negaunee, MI, Matti (Marja Leena) Seppala of Finland,  John (Barb) Otava, Rod (Pam) Rentola, Roger (Annette) Rentola, Myron (Ginny) Karki, Morris Karki, Marlys Karki, Allen Karki, Warren Karki, Bettie Karki, Carol (Tom) Peterson, many young cousins and good friends Elsie Waterman and Aino Levajarvi.   A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at Bethany Lutheran Church, in Cromwell, MN.