Archie Wihanto

Archie A. Wihanto
Archie A. Wihanto, 77, surrounded by his family, died peacefully February 19, 2012 of complications due to Parkinsonism.  He was born May 4, 1934 to Arthur and Lempi Vihanto in Cherry, MN.  He attended Cherry School and served active duty in the US Army.  Archie and Jeanette Palkovich, united in marriage on June 14, 1958 in Eveleth, made their home in Cherry.  Archie retired from the MA Hanna Mining Company in 1989 and worked for Jasper Engineering for a short time after. He was an active member of the Catholic Church leading a prayer group and teaching both RCIA and Confirmation classes.
Archie was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanette, of Cherry; a son, Nick (Andrea) Wihanto of Germany; 2 daughters, Dawn (Kevin) Kelly of Wyoming, MN., and Lynette (Larry) Smith of Cotton, MN; 9 grandchildren:  EM2(SS) Daniel Fuenffinger, Vicki (Bobb) Beauchamp, Laura Smith, Greg Kelly, Caitlin Kelly, Nicholas Kelly, Madeline Kelly, Lars Wihanto, and Mika Wihanto; five great-grandchildren and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Delores Chadwick, and a brother, Melvin Vihanto.
Funeral services for Archie will be held at 11:00am, Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Waweru will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be held from 10 until the 11am funeral Mass at the church on Friday.   Interment will be in Cherry Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.
To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com

---