Pekka Juhani Holmberg, 58, of Merriam, Kansas passed away in his family’s arms on the morning of September 6, 2021 from complications of ALS.
Pekka was born in Kausala, Finland on June 16, 1963 to Paavo & Eila (Virtanen) Holmberg. His father built a home for the family on the outskirts of Kausala in a neighborhood with lots of kids. He spent his time outside bicycling, camping, or exploring the woods nearby in the warmer months. In winter, Pekka liked skating, hockey, sledding and cross-country skiing. His beloved uncle Seppo often took him hunting and fishing and these were some of Pekka’s favorite memories. He remembered hunting moose even though he never wanted to fire at an animal himself. This love of being outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. Pekka was a good student and learned English, Swedish, German and French on top of his native Finnish. He graduated from IItti High School in 1982. After high school, he was drafted to serve in the Finnish Army and went on to become a Lieutenant. After his discharge he graduated from Lappeenranta College of Technology in 1989 with a B.S. in Construction Sciences. At the time of his death, Pekka was Assistant Construction Manager for K.U. Medical Center.
Pekka and his wife, Jenni Dean, met while she was in Finland visiting friends. After corresponding through letters and rare phone calls, and a short visit to the States, it was decided that they would be married and begin a life in Topeka, Kansas where she lived at the time. They were married on February 22, 1992 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kansas. In 1993, they moved to Shawnee, Kansas. Blessings of two wonderful children followed-- Emma Kristiina was born in 1997 followed by Lars Juhani in 2000.
Pekka will be remembered as a family man and a hard worker. Family always came first even if it meant a sacrifice on his part. He was a fair, patient and humble man which can be seen in all the relationships he had with family, friends and co-workers. He was also quite the handyman. He had a strong work ethic and would always try to learn a new task rather than hire things out. There wasn’t a house project he wouldn’t try to tackle-and he always succeeded. Together, he and Jenni enjoyed remodeling and completing home improvement plans. Whatever she wanted, he would try to figure a way to do it (most of the time anyway).
Pekka had a lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles. Driven by his need for speed, he began tinkering with mechanics. He and his friend Pertti were able to rebuild several motorcycles. They both belonged to the motorcycle club Jerusalem MC and took trips with the group. Beginning in the early 90’s he worked alongside his friend Frank at Frankenstein Trikes, which he continued until 2021. He got to work on a lot of cool cars and he enjoyed seeing the results of his hard work. He loved taking his 2005 Road Glider out and dreamed of owning a 60’s hardtop MG.
Pekka loved traveling, whether it was a bike trip to Sturgis or a drive up to Maine to enjoy nature. Most recently Pekka and Jenni traveled to Arkansas to admire the fall foliage. Pekka was never opposed to a trip to Parkville to enjoy family time at Wines by Jennifer.
Pekka will be forever missed by his family, wife Jennifer and children Emma & Lars. He is survived by his sister Satu (Matti) Levanen and nephews Mikko and Juho of Jyvaskyla Finland, mother in law Judy Dean, sister in law and brother in law, Kim and Michael White and nephews Brayden & Jordan, Uncle Seppo (Kaitsu) Virtinan of Kausala, Finland and Aunt Helena Tilli (Seppo) of Myllykoski, Finland. He was preceded in death by his parents Paavo and Eila Holmberg and father in law William R Dean.
We would like to thank the ALS Association Mid America Chapter for all of their guidance and support after his diagnosis. We would also like to thank Kansas City Hospice for all the love and care given in Pekka’s last days, as well as the many friends and family who are helping us endure the loss of this great man.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, KS on Thursday, September 23 at 11:00. Luncheon will follow at Pekka’s home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to ALS Association Mid America Chapter or to Kansas City Hospice.
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 23, 2021, 11:00 am
End Date: September 23, 2021, 12:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
5601 W. 62nd St.
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: 913-432-5441
Pekka was born in Kausala, Finland on June 16, 1963 to Paavo & Eila (Virtanen) Holmberg. His father built a home for the family on the outskirts of Kausala in a neighborhood with lots of kids. He spent his time outside bicycling, camping, or exploring the woods nearby in the warmer months. In winter, Pekka liked skating, hockey, sledding and cross-country skiing. His beloved uncle Seppo often took him hunting and fishing and these were some of Pekka’s favorite memories. He remembered hunting moose even though he never wanted to fire at an animal himself. This love of being outdoors stayed with him throughout his life. Pekka was a good student and learned English, Swedish, German and French on top of his native Finnish. He graduated from IItti High School in 1982. After high school, he was drafted to serve in the Finnish Army and went on to become a Lieutenant. After his discharge he graduated from Lappeenranta College of Technology in 1989 with a B.S. in Construction Sciences. At the time of his death, Pekka was Assistant Construction Manager for K.U. Medical Center.
Pekka and his wife, Jenni Dean, met while she was in Finland visiting friends. After corresponding through letters and rare phone calls, and a short visit to the States, it was decided that they would be married and begin a life in Topeka, Kansas where she lived at the time. They were married on February 22, 1992 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kansas. In 1993, they moved to Shawnee, Kansas. Blessings of two wonderful children followed-- Emma Kristiina was born in 1997 followed by Lars Juhani in 2000.
Pekka will be remembered as a family man and a hard worker. Family always came first even if it meant a sacrifice on his part. He was a fair, patient and humble man which can be seen in all the relationships he had with family, friends and co-workers. He was also quite the handyman. He had a strong work ethic and would always try to learn a new task rather than hire things out. There wasn’t a house project he wouldn’t try to tackle-and he always succeeded. Together, he and Jenni enjoyed remodeling and completing home improvement plans. Whatever she wanted, he would try to figure a way to do it (most of the time anyway).
Pekka had a lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles. Driven by his need for speed, he began tinkering with mechanics. He and his friend Pertti were able to rebuild several motorcycles. They both belonged to the motorcycle club Jerusalem MC and took trips with the group. Beginning in the early 90’s he worked alongside his friend Frank at Frankenstein Trikes, which he continued until 2021. He got to work on a lot of cool cars and he enjoyed seeing the results of his hard work. He loved taking his 2005 Road Glider out and dreamed of owning a 60’s hardtop MG.
Pekka loved traveling, whether it was a bike trip to Sturgis or a drive up to Maine to enjoy nature. Most recently Pekka and Jenni traveled to Arkansas to admire the fall foliage. Pekka was never opposed to a trip to Parkville to enjoy family time at Wines by Jennifer.
Pekka will be forever missed by his family, wife Jennifer and children Emma & Lars. He is survived by his sister Satu (Matti) Levanen and nephews Mikko and Juho of Jyvaskyla Finland, mother in law Judy Dean, sister in law and brother in law, Kim and Michael White and nephews Brayden & Jordan, Uncle Seppo (Kaitsu) Virtinan of Kausala, Finland and Aunt Helena Tilli (Seppo) of Myllykoski, Finland. He was preceded in death by his parents Paavo and Eila Holmberg and father in law William R Dean.
We would like to thank the ALS Association Mid America Chapter for all of their guidance and support after his diagnosis. We would also like to thank Kansas City Hospice for all the love and care given in Pekka’s last days, as well as the many friends and family who are helping us endure the loss of this great man.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, KS on Thursday, September 23 at 11:00. Luncheon will follow at Pekka’s home.
Memorial Contributions may be made to ALS Association Mid America Chapter or to Kansas City Hospice.
Events
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 23, 2021, 11:00 am
End Date: September 23, 2021, 12:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
5601 W. 62nd St.
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: 913-432-5441
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