Obituary of Irma Ojakangas

Irma Ojakangas peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2016, at age 96. Mrs. Ojakangas was born to Finnish immigrant parents and grew up in Virginia. She attended Eveleth Junior College and The College of St. Scholastica. Following college, she married Sulo Ojakangas and together they raised two daughters. Irma and Sulo resided in Hibbing for over 65 years, where they were active and well-known citizens. Irma and Sulo were deeply committed to their shared Finnish heritage. Irma read, wrote and spoke fluently in the Finnish language. She communicated regularly with relatives in Finland, visited them in Finland on several occasions, and welcomed them into her home. Her lifestyle, household and cooking were distinctly and proudly Finnish. Irma was active and athletic. She was widely regarded nationally as one of the leading female curlers of her era. She and her team of Hibbing ladies won many bonspiel honors. Irma was likewise an avid golfer and was a member of the Mesaba Country Club. Irma was an honest, modest and reliable woman, independent to a degree, intellectually curious and strong. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, and a very caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Irma Ojakangas is survived by her two daughters; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by relatives in Finland.