Aug 22, 2010

In Loving Memory of Bernhart (Ben) Michael Savikko (1917‐2010)

 


Bernhart Michael (Ben) Savikko, passed away at the age of 93 on August 18, 2010 in Douglas, Alaska.








I am blessed to have been the firstborn of 5 children (and only daughter) born to my Alaskan pioneer father, and Cajun French mother, who now survives him. 





Along with myself, Michele Savikko Bilyeu (Larry) of Salem, Oregon and four younger brothers, Dr.Douglas Savikko (Rebecca) of Eagle River, Herman Savikko (Paula) and Kurt Savikko (Holly) of Douglas, and Rick Savikko (Shelley) of Juneau.





Our wonderful father was an avid outdoorsman, a talented craftsman, artist, photographer, writer and electrician. He worked as newpaper delivery boy,, and photographic apprentice, as well as herding dairy cattle from Douglas Island (on a barge) to Juneau Alaska for grazing and milking) and eventually his lifelong job for the Alaska Light and Power Company in Juneau, Alaska until his retirement. He studied electrical courses by correspondence along with many other classes sharing his love as a life-long learner even after the births of his five "stair step" children! Our home was filled with music, art, photography,  joy and a love and beauty of the natural world that surrounded us.

He loved his wife, our mother Nellie Grace Peltier Savikko, devotedly throughout his life and was a constant provider of fish, game, and love for all of us.










Our father Ben Savikko was introduced to my mother through the mail by an Alaskan cousin who had been our mother's penpal. He in Douglas, Alaska and our mother in St. Martinville, Louisiana, thanks to a Douglas High School penpal program in the 1940s!









Ben Savikko along with five of his brothers were members of the Armed Forces from the then Alaskan Territory.  The Savikko family was known as a Five Star Family with 5 sons all leaving home to fight in WWII. 

He attended the University of Washington after World War II and later Tulane University in New Orleans,  Louisiana. He dreamed of being a doctor someday and remained interested in the medical and healing arts throughout his life 

Ben and Nell were married on April 9, 1949 in Louisiana but later moved to Alaska to live and raise their family. My father hand washed baby diapers on a scrubbing board and hung them out to dry on my French grandmother's clothesline completely amazing her with both his love and adoration of my mother and myself, but his total willingness to do hard work of all kinds, especially that considered a "woman's work! Ahead of the times in so many, many ways!!

Their first three of 5 children were born and raised as infants first in St. Martinsville and then in New Orleans, Louisiana, where my father continued his college education at Tulane University. He moved our family by traveling 5,000 miles by car from Louisiana up and onto the Alcan (Alaska-Canadian) highway to Haines, Alaska, where we then were put on a ferry, to travel to Juneau and then across the Gastineau Channel to our island home in Douglas.










We were blessed to grow up on this beautiful island surrounded by water, mountains and fern-filled forests and to learn to be self-reliant, independent, and hard working and to never give up no matter what challenges life might give us from this strong-willed Finnish father and our beautiful  French mother.






When our father passed away at age 93, he died proudly knowing that he was the oldest surviving resident to have been born and raised on the island of Douglas at that time.

My father leaves behind not only all that he taught and gave to us with rich memories bound to the deepest love of family, tradition, integrity and loyalty , but he leaves his five children, their spouses, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grand children.

We were amazingly blessed to not only have had this wonderful man in our lives for so many years, but to have learned that if he could survived traveling with young children 5,000 miles back and forth to Louisiana multipletimes,  raising a family in a U.S. territory! As well as hunting and fishing to supply us with food, loving playing with us beyond what men of his generation did with their children.

Teaching us, loving us, and showing us that we could survive anything from major illnesses, having our home burned to the ground with family members asleep, one son in a body cast, two more tossed from burning windows by my father, my mother in a nightgown running for help, and all of us surviving so much over our lifetimes!! 
 





My father's final years of his life included caring for my mother through stage 3b breast cancer, (first in my home in Oregon and later after care in Alaska) and having her survive (against all odds) but also caring for her as she was stricken with Alzheimer's 5 years later after returning back to the Juneau area.

He watched over her, cooked and cleaned for her, tested her insulin levels ,
Many times a day giving insulin shots as needed with complete and total dedication for his five final years  He loved her so deeply that this is by the far the greatest gift this dear man could ever have left us.

He is remembered by an entire community for being a member of one of the area's earliest pioneer families and for being a good and forever friend to all he ever met and knew.




We will treasure forever all that he taught and gave to us and hold him and have him live everlastingly in our hearts.

XXXOOO Dad

Love,
Michele
Douglas Island, Alaska/Salem, Oregon

51 comments:

Nancy said...

What a beautiful tribute to your father..

Laura said...

What a great tribute. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

What an awesome memorial and tribute to your father. I'm sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Its so beautiful the legacy of love he left for you.

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Elisa's Backporch Design said...

Thanks for sharing about your father. It sounds like he lived an amazing life.

Cloth Doll Lover said...

What an amazing man your father was...thank you so much for sharing this piece of your heart with us.
so sorry for your loss, I pray your Mother will be strengthened by her children and find comfort and oeace.
hugs
Amanda

Winifred said...

What a wonderful man and you've written so beautifully about him. He mus have loved you all very much and you in return loved him too. What more could anyone ask!

God Bless

Cheri said...

Beautiful in honoring your father's life! Sending prayers and hugs!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

So Sorry to hear the news. a very touching post... Sending support, and sympathy.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

My heartfelt sympathy to you and your entire family, your post is such a loving and beautiful tribute. I will pray for God to strengthen, sustain and support you with His great love through these difficult days ahead.

Melzie said...

Michele you have my love and prayers. You are a great daughter, I can tell you love/d and are loved very much by them.

Linda said...

What wonderful homage to pay such a loved man. It's so difficult to lose a parent. You have wonderful memories... In sympathy, Linda

O'Quilts said...

May your father rest in peace after a wonderful life. Thank you for sharing this inspiring tribute which gives courage as the rest of us go thru life's issues. You have been thru alot. TBTG for sewing and giving to others.

Di said...

What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man, Michelle. (((Hugs)))

Karen said...

Michelle, your father sounds like a real gem of a man! What an interesting life. Blessings to you and your family as you lay him to rest.

Love, Karen

P.S. Your Mom must be an amazing and blessed woman to have been through so much. I didn't realize that she was a breast cancer survivor.

Alice said...

So sorry for your loss Michelle. You and your family will be in are in my prayers. L,A-

Quiltdivajulie said...

Hugs and blessings to your family . . . should every daughter be so fortunate to have a father like yours.

Kim said...

I am sorry for your loss, what a wonderful person he was.

Sherry said...

What wonderful memories you have. I lost my father 2 fathers day ago and I still feel the pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rebag said...

Michele. I am so sorry for your loss...Such a beautiful tribute! Blessings and prayers sent your way.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I am so sorry for your loss Michele. What a wonderful tribute.

Barbara said...

Your father sounds like a wonderful man. I'm sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care.

Lurline said...

Sadly God bless!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Tudy said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.

Wendy said...

I'm so sorry you've lost your father. I know you were close. You're all in my prayers. *hugs*

Jody said...

Thank you for sharing this profoundly private tribute with us. As always, you touch my heart. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. I'm so sorry for your loss, and so glad that yours are beautiful memories.

Debi said...

My condolances on losing your father. The tribute to your father brought tears to my eyes. Saying a prayer for your entire family.

Scrappy quilter said...

What a precious tribute to a wonderful man. My condolances. Hugs

omashee aka Barb said...

Michele,
Such a moving tribute to your dad. What a wonderful man he was and what a rich and wonderful heritage he gave each of you.
Mu condolences to all of you. Give your mom an extra hug from me tonight.
Hugs, Barb

grandmarockton said...

We only girls do LOVE our FATHERS, sorry for your loss but memories live on!

Sharon said...

Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely and loving tribute to your father. He sounds like an amazing man!

My thoughts are with you and your family in your grief. ((Hugs)) It's never easy to lose a parent.

Candace said...

I am deeply sorry for your loss, but I know that you have many memories of your remarkable father and a rich heritage to treasure.

Finn said...

A very beautiful and moving tribute to your father, Michele. My deepest sympathy for your loss. Nothing about it is easy. To ultimately reach the stage of acceptance and peace is my heart's wish for you and yours. God's richest blessings on your journey and mission. Hugs, Finn

quiltmom anna said...

My dear Michele, This is a beautiful post to a well loved man. I am so sorry for your family's loss.
Sending you warm thoughts and a big cyber hug. May you find yourself surrounded by the loving support of friends and family as you remember and honor your beloved father. My sincere condolences to you all.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Angie said...

What a beautiful soul! How blessed all of you are to have him in your life. My sincerest sympathy and heart-felt hugs. Angie

judith lockhart said...

Whath a beautiful heritage you have. Prayers are with you at this time.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

You just celebrated his life in that loving tribute. My condolences to you and the rest of your family.

Anonymous said...

I am crying for you. Beautiful post.

MARCIE said...

So beautifully written Michele. What a fascinating history, and wonderful heritage! Wishing you peace and many blessings.

Anonymous said...

My wish is to be loved by our children the way you loved yours! Makes me want to buy a truck and trailer and move to Alaska..Angie

Wendy P said...

You were blessed to have such an incredible father. He sounds like he was truly amazing and wonderful. He lived a very full life.

Thank you for sharing such great memories with us at such a sad time.

Condolences to you and your whole family.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss, and so touched by all you've gained from your loving parents.

MIRIAM said...

thanks for being so kind to share those links for free patterns, a hug from Venezuela

jude said...

my thoughts are with you.

Magpie Sue said...

Oh Michele, I'm sorry I'm late to learn about your father's passing. My condolences... but what a wonderful legacy he left behind. Warmest wishes to you and the rest of your clan.

Unknown said...

Perfectly said.
How blessed you have been.
Your memories will carry you up and over. God Bless~
♥ Eileen

Sharon S said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely tribute to your amazing father. Isn't it the best growing up with a hero? I'm sorry for your loss.

jenclair said...

Oh, Michele, my heart goes out to you. Your devotion to your parents has permeated all of your posts about them. Losing someone you love so dearly is difficult, even when you can say you were lucky to have had them in your life for so long.

You've made so clear the kind of man your father was, and I find myself grieving with you and privileged to have been able to read your family stories. From the bayous to the far North, quite an exodus.

From this Bayou to you, prayers and healing.

Unknown said...

Prayers for you and your family. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

Thank your so much for the beautiful letter you wrote me. It helped so much. Prayers for you and your family.

Minniesthtches said...

Michelle I am so sorry for your loss of your father. Daughters and fathers have a special bond, cherrish your memories in the days to come. Please know that my thoughts are with you.

Perry said...

So sorry about your father. I haven't been blogging much this past year and have finally started trying to catch up with everyone. Your postng on his life was very touching. And I am glad to hear your mother is doing as well as can be expected.