Finnish friends observe cemetery’s centennial
It wasn’t Memorial Day, but people flocked to the
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The directors who serve on the Ahola Cemetery board include (l-r) David Liuska, Della Koski, Oscar Wirta, JoAnn Braun, John Hokana, Marilyn Ryberg and Ellen Liuska. |
Ahola Cemetery eight miles south of Wing just the same, to observe its 100 years in existence. On Aug. 4, more than 200 visitors placed flags on headstones, took horse- or mule-drawn carriage rides and told stories of their ancestors, in honor of the Finnish cemetery’s centennial.
David Liuska, chairman of the cemetery board and board director for Capital Electric Cooperative, says people visit the Ahola Cemetery every Memorial Day, but this observance was extra special. Guests enjoyed a program that included the Finnish national anthem, sung by Dr. Curt Juhala; a role call of the 11 deceased veterans buried in the cemetery; and the reading of old cemetery board meeting minutes that were translated from Finn to English.
In previous decades when the cemetery board met to discuss business, the directors used to tie their horses to the rail so they could fix fence and pick rocks. To honor the old tradition, two horses were tied at the cemetery, and guests took home rocks painted with “Ahola Cemetery, Aug. 4, 2007” as a centennial souvenir.
Following the program, the observance continued at Finn Hall south of Wing, where guests enjoyed a steak fry.
“The weather was nice and the observance was well-attended. I’d like to thank everyone who came and made the event a success,” Liuska says.