Robert J. Walkama

Memorial service for Robert James Walkama, 82, of Makinen, will be 10am Monday, September 11, 2017 at Palo Congregational Church in Palo with Rev. Jerry Kosanovich officiating. Friends may gather one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Robert died Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at his home. Robert was born May 6, 1935 at home in Makinen to Wilho and Edith (Davey) Walkama. He was a graduate of Cotton High School and later married Estelle Spehar on October 27, 1956 in Virginia, MN. In his earlier years, he was a logger with his father. He retired from MinnTac in 1998 where he worked as a lab technician. Robert was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandsons and family at the shack. Survivors include his children: Susan (Tom) Carlson of Linden, Mich., John (Tammy) Walkama of Makinen and Wendy (Mike Allen) Rask of Virginia; grandchildren: Christina (Terry) VanDeventer, Mandy (Don Gow) Tuomala, Adam (Nancy) Rask, Thomas (Holly) Rask, Bernie (Kristine) Henninger and Zach (Jess) Walkama; great grandchildren: Melissa, Jon, Shasta, Elizabeth, Nate, Angel, Andrew, Charlie, Taryne, Bernie, Aubrie and Emilia; siblings: Helen Maki, Carol Jarvela, Joyce Saarela and Dale Walkama; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Estelle; grandson, John and a brother in infancy.