John Lahti

UNION GROVE, Wis. - John Lahti, 88, of Union Grove, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove, with his family at his side.

He was born Nov. 25, 1925, in Bessemer, Mich., the son of the late John and Wilhemina (Kinnunen) Lahti. He was educated in the schools of Bessemer. He resided in various cities until coming to Kenosha in 1959 to make his home.

John served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from March of 1944 until May of 1946. He received an honorable discharge as a radar man, third class. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, receiving four stars, and the Philippine Liberation, receiving one star. He also received the World War II Victory Medal.

On April 5, 1947, at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone, Mich., he married Vianna Anderson. She preceded him in death June 18, 2004.

An electrician by trade, he worked for IBEW Local 127 until his retirement in June 1989. He was a 65-year member of the IBEW and had been an active member and board member of IBEW Local 127 in Kenosha.

He was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church, serving on the board of elders, church council and finance committee, and also as an usher. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking and playing cards with family and friends. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs.

We will all miss sauna nights and Dad's turkey on the grill, and he was the best pancake maker. We will also miss lutefisk and candlelight dinners on Christmas Eve.

Surviving are his five children, David Lahti, of Portage, Linda (Alex) Horochena, of Pleasant Prairie, Daniel Lahti Sr., of Kenosha, Shirley (David) Robinette, of Naples, Fa., and Sheryl (Elona) Lahti, of Arlington, Va .; 10 grandchildren, Allen (Erika) Horochena, Karina Horochena, Krista (Robert) Sweet, Jon (Amber Ibendahl) Horochena, Daniel Lahti Jr., Christopher (Mirjana) Lahti, Sara (John) Ricchio, Charles Lahti, Jason Robinette and Tara Robinette; 10 great-grandchildren, Richard Horochena, Camron, Brianna and Caiden Horochena, Zachary and James Horochena, Nathan Lahti, Ava Ricchio, Viktorija Lahti and Jacob Sweet.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Carlo Johnson and Carl Lahti; and three sisters, Ethel Rooni, Esther Makowski and Elma Hyvonen.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Feb. 17, at Proko Funeral Home, 5111 60th St., Kenosha, from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2100 75th St., Kenosha. Services will conclude with full military honors.

Private interment will take place at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park on Wednesday.

Proko Funeral Home of Kenosha is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit prokofuneralhome.com.