Toivo Kuivanen, 86, a longtime resident of Bergland, passed away Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, in Ironwood.

Toivo was born on Nov. 27, 1924, in Saxon, Wis., the son of John and Signe (Manninen) Kuivanen. He graduated from Saxon High School in 1943.

Toivo entered the U.S. Army Merchant Marines sailing the Pacific Seas where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 15, 1945.

On Jan. 19, 1946, Toivo married Selda Elizabeth Johnson of Wakefield, in Seattle.

The couple settled in Milwaukee where he worked in the lumber industry and was the proprietor of South Milwaukee Lumber.

In 1970, Toivo and Selda moved to Bergland and operated the Lakeview Restaurant until 1991.

His memberships included being an alderman in Oak Creek, Wis., Ontonagon County Commissioner, Ontonagon County Commission on Aging and the National Finnish-American Festival. He also served as Bergland Township Supervisor.


Toivo is survived by a son, Dale "Kuivi" (Pat), Bergland; two daughters, Arlene (John) Londerville, Wausau, Wis., and Cathy Wettberg, Bergland; four grandchildren, Amy (Paul) Literski, Wausau, Jennifer (Patrick) Saxe, Eau Claire, Wis., Brooke (Ron) Sholar, Wausau, and Vince Wettberg, Bergland; two great-grandchildren, Adam and Kasey Literski, both of Wausau; numerous nieces and nephews, including special niece, Jane Cole, Martinsville, Ind.; other loving relatives; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Selda, on Oct. 11, 2002; a brother, George; and a sister, Edith Martin.

A private funeral service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank everyone at Westgate Nursing Home for their kindness and loving care that was given to Toivo over the past two years.


Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. Your condolences may be shared with the family at: lakesidememorialchapel.com.