Robert William Ruonavaara, 101

Robert William Ruonavaara, 101, of Kalispell, passed away in the early hours on Jan. 13, 2018.

Robert was born on Aug. 3, 1916, in Jacobsville, Michigan, a son of Nils and Hilda (Muonio) Ruonavaara. He lived in Jacobsville until his father died in 1920. Then his mother moved the family to Hancock, Michigan. He lived in Hancock until August 2004 when he moved

to Kalispell.

Robert attended the Hancock Schools until the 11th grade.

Robert was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from Feb. 11, 1942, to Dec. 28, 1945, during World War II.

On Jan. 23, 1943, he was united in marriage to the former Anna Irene Halberg. She preceded him in death on Dec. 20, 1975. Later, Robert married Janet Arline Jouppe on May 12, 1979, in Calumet, Michigan. She preceded him in death on Oct. 28, 1989.

Robert worked at the Vienna Bakery in Calumet, and was a carpenter most of his life.

Robert was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church.

Preceding him in death were his wives, his parents, his brother Walter (Arnold) Ruonavaara, his sisters Flora Hendrickson and Elma Eloranta, two children Ethel Ritola and Robert Ruonavaara, two-grandchildren Tonya Levanen and Evan Wisti and one great-grandchild Lineesa Abernathy.

Surviving are his children, Elaine (Gunnar) Ek of Battle Ground, Washington, Nils (Christine) Ruonavaara of Atlantic Mine, Michigan, Annette (Steve) Levanen of Hancock, Michigan, Anita (Dennis) Jouppe of Hancock, Michigan, Linda (John) Wisti of Lonepine, Montana, Lillian (Daniel) Macfarlane of Kalispell, Juanita (Scott) Reddig of Kalispell, Marie Ruonavaara of Kalispell, and David (Lacey)

Ruonavaara of Woodland, Washington; one son-in-law, Irvin Ritola, of Yacolt, Washington; one daughter-in-law, Ingrid Milbrandt, of Kalispell; 91 grandchildren, many great- and great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a host of Christian friends.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 16, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lakeside. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Lakeside with a viewing one hour prior to service. Burial will take

place in the spring at the Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan. Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral

Home and Crematory is caring for the family.