Arthur R. Siirola
May 1, 1920 - December 4, 2010
Arthur R. Siirola
Arthur R. Siirola, born May 1, 1920, died December 4, 2010. Art's parents, John and Johanna, immigrated to the United States from Finland in 1910 with their first five children. Art was the tenth and last child, born and raised in Virginia, MN. He entered the Navy and served as a pilot in the South Pacific during World War II, retiring after 23 years with the rank of Commander. Art married Nancy Ellen Harris in 1944. He worked as a commercial artist in Toledo, OH, where they raised their family of six children. In 1960, the family moved to Salt Lake City, UT, and Art began his 23-year career with Hercules. In 1963, Art built the home in which he lived the rest of his life.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, sculpting, painting, riding in the Salt Lake City Police Palomino Posse, gardening, and watching the birds in his yard. He attained the rank of an Eagle Scout as a youth and was active in scouting.
Art is survived by his wife; children Jeffrey (Sharon), James (Rebecca), Karen, Thomas (Christy), Ellen (Burny), Janet (Larry); 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
A gathering to celebrate Art's life will be held on Friday, December 10th from 6 to 8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E., Salt Lake City. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 11th at 11:00 AM at St. Ann Catholic Church, 450 E. 2100 S., Salt Lake City. Interment will be the following Monday, December 13th at 10:00 AM at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd, Bluffdale.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Ann Parish or to a charity of your choice.
In Loving Memory
Dear Nancy and Family: You have our sincere sympathy on the loss of Art..We remember him fondly from cowboy to tripping threw our front screen door! Also the wonderful time we had with you in Salt Lake City.. Love and prayers...Cousin Jerry and Karen
Jerry and Karen Schaab
Hamilton Lake, In
Dear Nancy and family, we want to express our sincere sympathy on the loss of husband, father, grandfather, ggrandfather. We had the pleasure to meet you both in Finland many years ago. I had the pleasure to have sauna with Art at your home. Art was very proud of his Finn genes. So was he of his sauna! The first time we met, he told me, he does not speak any Finnsih. After telling me that, he spoke Finnish all evening. Peace be with him. You are in our thoughts, Nancy! Torbjorn and Eeva-Liisa Nikus
Torbjorn Rolf Nikus
Ylojarvi, Fi
May the peace that passes all understanding be with you during this time of loss.
Kenny Parker
Kingsport, TN
Dear Nancy and family, We are so sorry that Art left us so soon. (We remember that he said he was going to be here till he was 105!) We miss him already. He was such a good friend - our true Finnish friend. His sense of humor and ability to remember and tell jokes was unmatched. We will always be your friends, Nancy, and we will always remember Art and his many fun "sayings". Our deepest sympathy and love to you and your family. Missing Art, Demis & Rauni
Dennis and Rauni Higley
Sandy, Ut
With love to dear Aunt Nancy and all our cousins we will miss Art, The day he and Nancy married he was radiant in his dress whites and Nancy was a beautiful bride, They stayed young st heart for 66 great years,
Jessica and Bob Dean
Geneva, Il
So sorry to hear about Art's death. Vince and I always liked both you and Art. May the fond memories that you have of your times together with Art be a source of consolation for you at this time.
dorothy emond
salt lake city, ut