ALASKA – Former Seaview resident Kenneth J. “Joe” Penttila, 84, died in Petersburg, Alaska on Feb. 17, 2010. Born on the family farm in Naselle on March 19, 1926, he was the son of Waino and Sigrid Penttila, both of Finnish ancestry. He grew up speaking Finn, residing on the family farm where he grew up with his four siblings, and 12 cousins who lived next door.

It was during his years at Naselle High School that he met Dorothy Grier. Following high school she went away to college and Mr. Penttila, following his father’s footsteps, joined the U.S. Navy where he served during the Second World War. In 1947 the couple were married and became the parents of daughters Terri, Jodi and Carol. While Mrs. Penttila stayed at home, he worked in the woods, all the while dreaming of owning his own logging business.

In 1956 the family moved to Petersburg where he began employment with Reid Brothers at Thomas Bay. Soon thereafter he was awarded a timber sale on Kuiu Island where he remained for the rest of his career, living at a logging camp at Saginaw Bay surrounded by family.

After the logging camp years Mr. and Mrs. Penttila made Petersburg their home. Together they discovered the joy of bicycling and they later traveled the world on two wheels. He also kept busy supplying family and friends with smoked salmon, blueberries, and rhubarb and of course, his many stories and jokes. In addition he enjoyed his passion of making furniture from wood samples he had collected over the years.

In 1998 he and Dorothy moved to Seaview. Alzheimer’s disease overtook Dorothy and she passed in 2005 with her husband at her side after faithfully caring for her. He returned to Petersburg soon thereafter where he spent his final years enjoying family, reconnecting with his friends at church, doing puzzles and eating all the ice cream he wanted.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Terri and Rob Swanson, Jodi and Joe Morino and Carol and Brian Kandoll; grandchildren, Jennifer, Adam, Joshua, Matte, Scot, Chelsea, Micah, Katy and Annikki; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rose See and Verna Holm; a brother, Eldon “Doc” Penttila; and numerous other members of his extended family. An infant daughter, Rhonda Kay, preceded him in death.

A memorial service was held at Petersburg Lutheran Church on Feb. 20. Mr. Penttila was buried next to his beloved wife on Feb. 27, at Peaceful Hill Cemetery in Naselle. Memorials may be made to the Naselle Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 100, Naselle, WA 98638. His guest book is available at (www.penttilaschapel.com).