Seppo Valppu

SEPPO HEMMING VALPPU

Seppo H. Valppu, 62, of Duluth died Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at his lake home in Brimson.

Seppo was born October 9, 1948 to Heino and Helvi (Muhonen) Valppu in Puolanka, Finland. He moved to Minnesota at the age of 15 with his mother and brother. Seppo attended UMD where he received degrees in Anthropology and Biology, and later the University of Minnesota where he received his Master's degree in Ancient Studies. He worked at the Archeometry Lab at UMD and later was a research scientist at NRRI. Seppo also taught Anthropology and Finnish.

He was an avid outdoorsman; enjoying hunting, fishing, and sailing. Seppo cherished his family and his ties to Finland. He was well known for his traditional Finnish baking. His greatest love was botany and sharing his knowledge with others. Seppo loved his time spent with family and time at his lake home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Heino and Helvi, step-father Topi Halonen, brother Matti, and infant brother Taisto.

Seppo is survived by his wife Kathy; daughters Liisa (Scott McNally) Valppu and Anna (Jake) Pessenda; sons Johan (Tina) Valppu and Steve Valppu; grandchildren Ellie, Kaia, Josephine, Henri, and Sisko; and numerous friends and family both here and in Finland.

Services will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at Cavallin Funeral Home in Two Harbors.