The Finnish Heritage Museum is proud to recognize those outstanding Finns and Finnish⁄North Americans as well as others of Finnish ancestry from countries around the world who have made positive far-reaching, long-lasting contributions and-or significant achievements during their lifetime. They are exemplary creative and influential individuals from all fields.

This honored registry will be added to at the end of each calendar year by a formal vote of FHM members at our November meeting. We welcome recommendations and nominations.

MIKAEL AGRICOLA, born in Torstila, Pernaja, Finland circa 1510, was known as a Reformationist and the creator of the written Finnish language. In his early years his aptitude for languages assisted his extensive religious training. He moved to Turku in 1528 and was ordained a few years later. Agricola produced the first Finnish-language translation of the New Testament based on the original Greek, Latin, German and Swedish. In a preface he explains how Christianity came to Finland, and his reasons for using Turku dialect in his translation. Of the 8500 Finnish words used by Agricola, 4500 are still in use today. Agricola became the first Lutheran bishop for all of Finland a few years before his death in April 9, 1557, which is now celebrated in Finland each year as The Day of the Finnish Language.

KREETA HAAPASALO was born in 1813 in Kaustinen, Ostrobothnia, Finland. At the age of six her uncle taught her to play the six-string kantele. During her teen years she became an excellent seamstress and perfected her kantele playing. Soon she was known as "Kantele-Kreeta," a peasant woman who became the most popular and famous singer and kantele player of her time. Although she was the mother of eleven children, she was able to support the family through her music. She favored contemporary folk songs. Her reputation was widely recognized and she performed for all classes of society throughout Finland as well as giving performances in Sweden and Russia. Finland's first pop star died in 1893.

KAI HAASKIVI was born on December 28, 1955 in Finland. He brought the gift of soccer to countless Finnish and Finnish/American youth and many Clevelanders during the 1980-90s. He played for the Cleveland Force of the Major Indoor Soccer League and helped Cleveland gain its own team in the 1990s. When he retired, he was the second all-time leader in MISL assists and he was listed in the top ten in goals, points and games played. Kai represented Finland in 12 World Cup matches and he was a member of MISL's 10th anniversary team. He was an eight time all star. Presently, Kai is a member of the National Instructional Staff for US Soccer. He is very active in helping youngsters learn how to play the sport in the most positive way. "I am thrilled to be able to make an impact on young players." * Click for picture

TARJA KAARINA HALONEN was born in Helsinki in 1943. She joins an exclusive list of female heads of state as Finland's eleventh president. In 1968 she graduated from the University of Helsinki with a Master of Laws degree. Her experience as a government servant includes membership in the Finnish Parliament and as a supportive cabinet member for several presidents who preceeded her. President Halonen is concerned about human rights issues as well as maintaining a democracy and a civil society. Throughout her career, she has championed social justice and equality for all. President Halonen has played an active role in the international solidarity movement.

EILA HILTUNEN was born in Sortavala, Finland in 1922. She became an internationally recognized sculptor in a typically male dominated field, working a lifetime fashioning fascinating and unique visions from metal. Her mother was an artist and her father a metalworker. Her creative life reflects their influence. Eila's prestigious career spans seven decades resulting in important artworks in Finland, Canada, the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Italy. Hiltunen is world famous for her Passio Musicae, more commonly known as the Sibelius Monument, which was unveiled in 1967. Her lifetime of creativity continues to impact a world of people. She died in 2003.

AKSELI GALLEN-KALLELA was born in Pori, Finland in 1865. He became recognized as one of the leading artists of all time in Finland; some considered him the unofficial artist of Finland. He was named Axél Waldemar Gallén at birth. In 1876, he began taking art lessons at the Artists Association of Finland in Helsinki. By 1884 he traveled to Paris to further his art education. Throughout his career he knew some of the most famous and influential people in the art world. He was friends with notables Jean Sibelius, Robert Kajanus, Oskari Merikanto, Edward Munch, and Maxim Gorky. Gallen-Kallela's artwork focused on nature as a theme but later became increasingly nationalistic, romantic, and symbolic as it represented ideals from the Kalevala. In 1900, he represented Finland at the Paris World's Fair. At this time, he also began creating designs for the Finnish long-pile rug or ryijy. This was an aesthetic turning point in hundreds of years of traditional ryijy designs. After a significant artistic career, Gallen-Kallala died in Stockholm in 1931.

LINDA EVELYN HYPPA KATILA was born in Fairport , October 7, 1919 to John W. and Susan Hyppa.   A educator, Katila held a BS and MS in Education from Kent State University and was affiliated with Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma.  She taught elementary school in Perry, Ohio, San Diego, California, and Painesville, Ohio where she became Educational Coordinator with a 33 year career.  A lifetime Zion Lutheran Church member in Fairport Harbor, Katila served on many church projects.  She traveled the world with husband Allan and son David and enjoyed reading, collecting antiques, and restoring their grand, Mentor Avenue Victorian home in Painesville.  Linda Evelyn Katila is to be remembered as the original founder of the Finnish Heritage Museum; wanting to preserve Finnish American culture before it disappeared. Katila cut the opening ribbon during FHM opening ceremonies.  She died in 2007. (SEE Memorial page, click here)

DR. AMY AGNES KAUKONEN WALSH is the first elected woman mayor in Ohio. Chosen in 1921, she won popular support and the election, transformed the village council, and continued regular civic work on building a community with paved streets, curbs, water service, electric service, trolley line, police and fire service, and schools. While serving as Mayor, she practiced medicine and delivered babies. Her most significant contribution however, is changing the culture of Fairport, returning it to honesty and civility and taking it out of the hands of bootleggers, prostitutes, and the criminal element which prior to her election "ran" the village. She was physically threatened many times, but remained steadfast in her convictions. She was nationally recognized for her work. Kaukonen abruptly resigned in 1923 and moved to Seattle, Washington, but her work had left an indelible impression on the village. (See American Finn Leaves a Legacy)

VÄINÖ LINNA was born in 1920 in Ursala, Finland. Linna became an acclaimed writer and academician. His first international success was the book Unknown Soldier (Tuntematon Sotilas), which has been regarded by some as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. In Unknown Soldier, Linna, himself a veteran of the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, provides a masterful depiction of the relations between a single company of men fighting on the Finnish side. His book is suspenseful, powerful, realistic, and deeply psychological. Many claim that Linna's work helped lead to the national healing of the 1960s. Linna is listed in the book 100 Faces from Finland: A Biographical Kaleidoscope. Linna died in 1992.

ELIAS LÖNNRÖT, known today as Finland's National Poet, was born in Nyland Finland in 1802. He began study at the University of Abo in 1822 becoming a physician in 1832. During his decade at the university, he began to publish contributions to the study of the ancient Finnish language, and to collect national ballads and folklore that were to then passed orally to each generation. Once he became a practicing doctor based in Kajana, Lönnröt further indulged his fascination with language, stories and history as he traveled throughout Finland and nearby Russian provinces. He collected songs and legends, eventually publishing in 1835 the great epic of Finland Kalevala. He also produced his important collection of the Kanteletar, folk songs of early Finland; Proverbs of Finland followed. He became a professor of Finnish language and literature, retired in 1862 and passed away 1884.

LILLIAN LUTHANEN ROBINSON was born August 27, 1911 in Fairport Harbor, Ohio to Finnish immigrant parents.  With an 1931 education degree and a 1937 law degree, the Ohio State University graduate practiced as an attorney for 56 years. Giving legal advice to immigrants, Robinson served her childhood Congregation Immanuel Lutheran in Fairport as its attorney. She was active in area politics: 16 year member of Painesville City Council, member of Painesville League of Women Voters, and president of the Lake County Democratic Women's Club.   She was instrumental in founding St. Paul Lutheran in Painesville, Holy Cross Lutheran in Madison, and she helped draw up the Constitution for the Fairport Harbor Historical Society and the Fairport Marine Museum. She was a founder and charter trustee of Lakeland Community College and chair of the Lake County Planning Commission, and a trustee of N.E.O. Hospital.  She received the Woman of Achievement Award, and Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Award. Robinson died in 1993.

VEIKKO MALKAMÄKI as born in Lapua, Finland, September 5, 1946 to Katri and Kustaa Malkämäki, the youngest of seven. Graduating Seinäjoki Business School, Malkämäki also served in the Finnish Air Force’s mechanical weapons division. A Zion Lutheran Church Council member, he also serves as an ELCA representative, and has been president, secretary, and treasurer of the Finnish-American Youth Association.  A folk dancer, he participated in many groups and has refereed soccer games for the Greater Cleveland Soccer Association.  He is also a member of Knights and Ladies of Kaleva Virkkusen Maja 22 in Fairport. He owns and operates his own business and has for 40 years.  Married to Laura (nee Heikkinen), he has two sons.  Veikko was instrumental in the formation of the Finnish Heritage Museum, supporting, organizing, and bringing Linda Katila’s vision of a museum to fruition.

JOHN MORTON was an early Finnish/American who was born in 1724 in Ridley in Chester County, now Delaware. John practiced farming, surveying, and jurisprudence. He served eighteen terms in the Pennsylvania assembly and was active in civic and church affairs and served as Justice of the Peace for several terms. He was one of Pennsylvania's representatives to the 1765 Stamp Act Congress in New York. Morton was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775, and served as chairman of the 1776 delegation. During the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the final outcome depended on Pennsylvania's vote. Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson favored independence. Signing below Franklin's signature, John Morton cast the deciding vote that freed the colonies from England's rule. All signers were guilty of high treason, a crime punishable by death. John Morton was the first of the signers to die; he passed away in 1777. As he lay dying, he believed the day would come when his vote for American Independence would be his most important act. A monument in his memory was erected in 1848. He is a true American hero.

PAAVO JOHANNES NURMI was born in Turku, Finland in 1897. Nurmi was known as one of the famous "Flying Finns." During the 1920s, he was recognized as the greatest middle and long distance runner in the world. He excelled at and dominated all long distance running for many years. He set forty world records for all distances between 1500m and 20km. Competing in three Olympic games 1920 to 1928, Nurmi won nine gold and three silver medals. His incredible supremacy of the various distances that he raced is a testament to his greatness as a world-class athlete. He was the best! Today, Paavo Nurmi is considered a Finnish national hero, an idol to many. He was chosen to light the Olympic Flame at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. His significant achievements resulted from tireless hard work and a truly dedicated individual character. He once said, "Mind is everything. Muscle - pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind." Nurmi died in 1973 in Helsinki and was honored with a state funeral.

ELIEL GOTTLIEB SAARINEN was born in 1873 in Rantasalmi, Finland. He became one of the major influences on modern world architecture. "I always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context - a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan." He was a major contributor to the Finnish Pavilion at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris. Some of Saarinen's best-known designs include the Railway Station and National Museum in Helsinki, the First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana (a collaboration with his son Eero), and the Cranbrook Academy of Art campus in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he was an artist-in-residence and its President. He died in 1950 after a distinguished career.

EERO SAARINEN was born in Kirkkonummi, Finland in 1910. He studied in Paris and at Yale University, after which he joined his father's practice. Eero initially pursued sculpture as his art of choice. After one year of art school, he decided to become an architect. Much of his work shows a relation to sculpture. Saarinen developed a remarkable range, which depended on color, form and materials. He showed a marked dependence on innovative structures and sculptural forms, but not at the cost of pragmatic considerations. He easily moved back and forth between the International Style and Expressionism, utilizing a vocabulary of curves and cantilevered forms. One of his most famous creations is the St. Louis Gateway Arch completed after his death in 1966. It is the tallest memorial in the United States. Eero Saarinen died in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1961.

JOHAN JULIUS CHRISTIAN SIBELIUS. Sibelius was born in 1865 in Hämeenlinna, Finland. In 1885 Sibelius moved to Helsinki to study law at the University and music at the Helsinki Music Institute, the present Sibelius Academy. Sibelius abandoned legal studies because music took up all his time - initially by the violin and then by composition. He began his career as an orchestral composer. Sibelius led a frenzied life: he composed, taught, conducted, and played chamber music. Sibelius became a national figure in almost the same way as Churchill in Britain. For most people, he was Finland. By the beginning of the century, he became a symbol of national self-determination and his fame penetrated areas of the world, which barely knew where Finland was. His musical personality is the most powerful to have emerged in any Scandinavian country. He was able to establish a sound that was entirely his own. His inner world was dominated by his love of the Northern landscape, and of the rich repertory of myth embodied in the Kalevala. From the time of Finlandia onwards, Sibelius was probably the best-known Finn, and many people who would never have become aware of Finland's existence and her national aspirations, did so because of his powerful music. He died in 1957.

JOHAN VILHELM SNELLMAN was born in 1806 in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of a sea captain. Snellman was a national awakener who believed that a nation's strength was in civilization, not in its weapons. He believed unless Finland established its own language, economy and identity, the country would be swallowed up by either Russia's or Sweden's culture. He dedicated his life to the awakening of Finland as a teacher, journalist, and Senator. He died in 1881; and today a statue of Snellman stands before the Bank of Finland in Kruunuhaka on Snellman Street.

ZACHARIAS TOPELIUS was born in Kuddnas in 1818 into Finland's Ostrobothnia Swedish culture. His father was a physician and young Zacharias was reading at an early age, especially enjoying folk poetry. He developed a deep moral and religious worldview. In 1845 he received a PH.D. from the University of Helsinki where he served as a professor and later it's Chancellor. By 1850, his writings became part of Finland's national awakening. He was a superb storyteller for both children and adults. He described Finland's landscape and people in a series of newspaper novels. His writings were both idealistic and conservative and have been translated into at least 20 languages. He worked as a journalist for the Helsingfors Tidningar and founded the YMCA in Finland. He died in 1898.

CARL WILHELM VALLGREN created the popular fountain sculpture Havis Amanda in 1908 in Helsinki near Market Square. Vallgren was born in Porvoo, Finland in 1855. He ventured to Paris in 1878 to study art at the Ecole des Beaux-Arats. In time, he became one of the most significant Finnish sculptors whose artwork and craft designs created in various materials illustrate a strong interest in the French art nouveau movement of the late nineteenth century. During his life Vallgren received numerous awards and commissions including a gold medal for a collection of his creations at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition. He was an active writer, lecturer, and traveler. He died in Helsinki in 1940. He said, "I have loved life. All that is wonderful, that passes through God's fingers into nature. You walk unto life, and I die tonight." Vallgren, 1949, page 276.

LASSE VIREN was born in 1949 in Helsinki, Finland. He was an outstanding world-class distance runner winning gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races in both the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. He is the only man to have achieved the incredible feat twice. In the 1972 Olympic finals of the 10,000 meters, facing the best in the world, Lasse fell during the race. Determined, he demonstrated personal "sisu." He got up, caught the leaders, and sprinted to victory setting a new world record. It was an amazing, exciting race! Lasse Viren continues to be involved in track and field. He sponsors an annual race in his hometown of Myrskyla, which attracts runners from all over the world and where he encourages young runners.

RAYMOND W. WARGELIN was born in Republic, Michigan, in 1911. He became a renowned clergyman, educator and advocate of Finnish-American culture. He served Suomi Synod Lutheran congregations in Berkeley and Reedley, California, and Fairport Harbor, Ohio; taught theology at Suomi College in Michigan, later served as its president; was executive director of the Suomi Synod Luther League; and was editor-in-chief of the Lutheran Counselor. He also served as Bishop of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Suomi Synod. His was a noted historian and scholar of Immigration Research whose papers reside at the Immigration History Research Center, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota. Raymond Wargelin died in 2003.