Obituary for Clifford August Ollanketo

Clifford August Ollanketo, age 78 of Anoka, died on June 17, 2017 at Homestead of Anoka. Clifford was born on August 25th, 1938 to George and Aina Ollanketo in Marengo, WI. He graduated from Ashland High School in 1956. In 1960, he graduated from the Minneapolis School of Art and went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Cliff taught for the St. Paul School District, primarily at Gillette Children’s Hospital, for 28 years and retired in 2002.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth; five adult children, Beth Besonen of Anoka, Sarah Johnson of Elk River, Wade (Heidi) Ollanketo of Ramsey, Mary Nicholas of Plymouth, and Susan (Sam) Rivard of Maplewood; 11 grandchildren, Jessica Johnson, Shane Johnson, Phillip Besonen, Nicole Besonen, Britney Ollanketo, Rebecca (Spencer) Hokkanen, Riley Ollanketo, Avynn Rivard, Madison Nicholas, Mackenzie Nicholas, and Eden Rivard. He also is survived by two brothers, Rudy (Bernice) Ollanketo, and James (Priscilla) Ollanketo; three sisters, Darlene (Frank) Carlson, Kathy Nevala, and Judy (Mark) Anderson; two sisters-in-law, Edna Mae Ollanketo and Dorothy Ollanketo; and one brother-in-law, Clarence Kyllonen, Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and a host of brothers and sisters in faith.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, George and Aina Ollanketo; siblings, Gladys Miller, Margie Hepokoski, Elden Ollanketo, Beatrice Wuollet, Raymond Ollanketo, Dolores Kyllonen, Paul Ollanketo, Thomas Ollanketo and two infant brothers, Valentino and Wilbur.

Funeral Service Tuesday June 20th, 2017 at 11AM with visitation Monday June 19th, 2017 from 5-8PM and visitation 1 hour prior to the service Tuesday all at the Minneapolis Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 14000 129th Ave N., Dayton, MN 55327. Interment at Alajoki Cemetery in Menahga, MN.