Sauli Ensio Ranta, devoted, funny and full of Sisu, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away at his home in Centralia, Wash., Jan. 9, 2020. He was born in Ullava, Finland, July 9, 1939.
Sauli came to the United States of America alone at 13, to live with his grandfather on a farm in Agnew, Wash. He attended Sequim High School then served active and reserve duty in the United States Navy.
In 1962, he returned to Finland, where he met and married his wife of 57 years, Pirrkko. Together, they came to the Pacific Northwest in March of 1963.
Sauli worked as a carpenter and later as a mechanic at the Centralia power plant for over 28 years. After retirement, Sauli enjoyed traveling, going to the gym and visiting with family and friends. He especially looked forward to beating his grandchildren at cribbage.
Sauli is survived by his loving wife, Pirkko; children, Leo (Beth), David (Karla) and Anita; grandchildren, Mikko, Timo, Sami, Kirsti and Kylli; and a large extended family in Finland and beyond.
An open house memorial will be held at the family home in Centralia, Wash., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., March 21, 2020.
Sauli Ensio Ranta, devoted, funny and full of Sisu, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away at his home in Centralia, Wash., Jan. 9, 2020. He was born in Ullava, Finland, July 9, 1939.
Sauli came to the United States of America alone at 13, to live with his grandfather on a farm in Agnew, Wash. He attended Sequim High School then served active and reserve duty in the United States Navy.
In 1962, he returned to Finland, where he met and married his wife of 57 years, Pirrkko. Together, they came to the Pacific Northwest in March of 1963.
Sauli worked as a carpenter and later as a mechanic at the Centralia power plant for over 28 years. After retirement, Sauli enjoyed traveling, going to the gym and visiting with family and friends. He especially looked forward to beating his grandchildren at cribbage.
Sauli is survived by his loving wife, Pirkko; children, Leo (Beth), David (Karla) and Anita; grandchildren, Mikko, Timo, Sami, Kirsti and Kylli; and a large extended family in Finland and beyond.
An open house memorial will be held at the family home in Centralia, Wash., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., March 21, 2020.
