Posted on

Kirsti Maria Bucht Niemi

(November 22, 1926-October 23, 2019)

Kirsti was born at home in Detroit Michigan, the only child of Frans Mattias and Saimi (Mikkola) Bucht. Her parents were recent immigrants from Sweden and Finland, who met each other in Detroit’s Woodrow Wilson area, where many similar Finnish-Americans lived. Like others, she grew up often visiting the Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp in Wixom Michigan, where her father eventually built a cottage home. Kirsti met her future husband, Walter Niemi, at one of the Finn Camp’s regular Saturday-night dances. They were married in 1948. Kirsti and Walt had four children, who valued their Finnish heritage and continued involvement at Finn Camp.

Kirsti attended Commerce High School in Detroit and graduated from Wayne University (now Wayne State University). A stay-at-home Mom until her children were old enough to take care of themselves, she then began working to contribute financially to the family and helping her children to attend college. After working sales and clerical jobs, she passed the civil service exam to become social worker for the State of Michigan, attending to the needs of dependent children and senior citizens in Detroit.

A month away from her 93rd birthday, she died peacefully in her sleep, in her own home, of natural causes. She is survived by her four children: Karen Riley (husband Neil), Barbara Niemi, Steve Niemi, Dave Niemi (wife Kiya), and her grandchildren Matt Riley (wife Toni), and Lara Riley.

Kirsti was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, devoted to her family. She leaves a legacy of kindness and compassion for others with a strong attachment to her Finnish-Swedish roots. Kirsti’s smile will be missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org) or the Residential Hospice Foundation (residentialhealthcaregroup.com).

The family will welcome friends Saturday, November 2, from 1-5 PM at Kirsti’s home: 28212 Greencastle Road, Farmington Hills.

Our condolences to the Niemi family.

Posted on

43rd Annual Finn Fest

Finn Fest 2019 image

August 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2019

It’s FESTIVAL time!! Mark your calendars and plan to support this major fundraising event.  This is a great time to get some of your work hours in, catch up with other members and friends, and cheer on our own Finn Camp Voima team in the softball tournament!!  

Friday kicks off the festival weekend with the kitchen and beer truck opening at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Home Run Derby beginning about 6:30 p.m. Come see how many of the big hitters can still knock ’em into the woods! We will continue in to the evening with music and dancing in the Clubroom!

Saturday the kitchen will open for breakfast at 8:00 a.m., with food available all day in the Ravintola and food tent. The softball tournament also begins at 8:00 a.m. with games on the Finn Camp’s George Aho Memorial Field and the Gilbert Willis Park fields. Flag raising ceremonies will be at 11:00 a.m. with music and entertainment continuing from the Dance Hall porch through the afternoon.  There will be 50/50 raffles, prize raffles sponsored by the Scholarship Committee, kids activities and other games for all ages sponsored by the Recreation Committee, ‘Round Robin’ horseshoes and Fowling tournaments, and the sale of Finn Camp merchandise throughout the day.  Save some room on your dance card and join us for some fun in the Dance Hall to close out the evening!!    

Sunday FUNday, and we will do it all over again! The kitchen will open for breakfast at 8:00 a.m. with food available all day. Softball will continue on all three fields with the championship game on our “A” Field in the late afternoon/early evening, followed immediately by trophy presentation. Music, raffles, horseshoes, and other activities will continue as well.  

Many members are needed to work in all areas throughout the weekend, especially in the security and kitchen areas. As a member of a cooperative association, please participate by giving a few hours of your time to pitch in and help make our festival successful! Every hour counts, and no task is too small—WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! PLEASE – Come out to support your Finn Camp and our 42nd Annual Finn Fest!!!  Work hours sign-up sheets are posted at Sun Lake Beach, or contact Robyn directly for other available options for hours.    REMINDER – We are looking for a new team to take over kitchen manager detail if Finn Fest is going to continue.  Please contact Robyn or Greg!!!

Posted on

Juhannus

Our annual Juhannus celebration will be held on Saturday, June 22nd. The cost to attend this event is $5 per person. This fee includes all events for the day, even if you only attend the fire. Members are asked to pay for their guests or remind their guests that there is a fee to attend this event. Parking will be allowed at the clubroom or on Lyonia – all cars must be removed from the Sun Lake parking lot and the sauna will close at 8pm.

Bring the family out early for food, games, music, & dancing! There will be games for anyone who wants to play including cornhole, washer toss & mölkky (a traditional Finnish game) or bring your own. All ages welcome! The Kitchen is open from 3pm-9pm for dinner. Available items will include burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, pasties, mojakka, salads & pulla.

The horseshoe tournament will begin at 2pm, with registration starting at 1:30pm. Bring your partner or we can pair up! The cost to participate in horseshoes is $5 per person and a cash prize will go to the winners!

Come learn to play Pesäpallo (Finnish Baseball) – a new addition to this years fun! All you need is yourself, some tennis shoes, and a baseball glove (if you have one). Registration and an explanation of the rules will begin at 3:30pm and the game will start at 4pm. Guys & Girls, teens and older, are encouraged to play. We will have our 4th annual boot toss competition directly after Pesäpallo (about 6pm). Winner of the boot toss will receive a one-of-a-kind trophy, complements of Chris Nordin.

The live band, led by our very own St. Urho’s King, will play traditional Finnish music in/near the Dancehall 6:30-8pm. Come practice your dance moves before you show them off at the kokko, where the band will also be playing.

The kokko (bonfire) will be lit at 10:00 p.m. so don’t miss it! A live D.J. will be playing music in the dancehall after so come check him out (10pm-1:30am).

The kitchen will be open for breakfast Sunday, June 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Available items include Eggs any style, French Toast, Pannukakku, Omelets to order and Eggs Benedict.

Contact Amber Martin to donate prizes or schedule work hours.

Click on image to download flyer.