Erkki “Eki” Toivo Vaisanen, age 87, of Forest Lake, Michigan died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, August 30, 2008. Eki was born on May 19, 1921, in Vuoksela-Correlia, Finland, to the late Ville and Amanda (Kopra) Vaisanen. He married Mary Corr on March 12, 1950. In 1950 Eki and Mary moved to New York City. They moved to Flint, MI in 1952, where Eki became a finish carpenter and was eventually hired by General Motors as a carpenter throughout their facilities, retiring in 1982. While vacationing to the U.P., Eki and Mary bought property in Forest Lake which became their home that he had planed and they built together. Eki was a unique character; he taught himself both English and Russian, he had a love for all animal and being in the outdoors, and was an avid skier. In his younger years he was a downhill ski champion at the NASTAR races, but truly loved cross country skiing which he and Mary did together.
Eki is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years Mary Vaisanen of Forest Lake, and several cousins in Finland. He was preceded in death by his parents Ville and Amanda.
There are no public services planed at this time.
