HILKKA GROUDA

Hilkka Grouda (nee Kolhemainen), 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Extendicare York in Sudbury, Ont.
Born in Kerimaki, Finland, Hilkka bravely emigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland in 1954 to start her new life in Canada.
She soon married Alexis Johnson (predeceased) and began her own family on the farm in Arbor Vitae, Ont. Her family was always her strength.
She was the cherished daughter of Hilja Kolhemainen (predeceased); spouse of Clifford Grouda (predeceased); and mother of Lena Brown (predeceased), Riitta Caruso (Paul), Gary Johnson (Marlene), Leila Johnson (Bob), and Kaija Jalbert (Dan).
Dearest sister of Helga (predeceased), Toivo (predeceased), Teuvo, (predeceased), Tepu (predeceased), Taavi (Sirkka) Kolhemainen, and Kaija Redsven.
Hilkka moved to Sudbury in 1992 (with a few years in Thunder Bay, as well) to Finlandia Koti, where she called home for the remainder of her life, enjoying Bingos and social gatherings there.
She loved to shop for a good bargain (how she loved her shoes and purses!) and this trait has been handed down to a couple of her granddaughters, as well.
She will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren, Derek, Melanie, Angela, Kaija, Victoria, Jonathan, Justin, Shaun, and Deanna; and will be greatly missed by her great-grandchildren and many relatives both in Canada and Finland.
She was a strong and independent woman who loved to travel with her children and laugh until tears ran down her cheeks. Her memories will be with us forever.
As per her wishes, there will be no public service but the family will hold a private service in her memory at a later date.