Albert Karvonen
Born on April 24, 1931 at Hollow Lake, Alberta
Died on November 20, 2022 at Amisk Lake, Alberta
On April 24, 1931, Albert was born in the sauna on the family homestead at Hollow Lake, northeast of Waskateneau, Alberta. The sauna was warm, clean, had access to fresh water from the well, and was an important place of ritual for our family and Finns. His father, Arvi, immigrated to Canada in 1925 followed by his mother, Lytti, in the spring of 1926 with his big sister Elvi. Arvi & Lytti’s first child died in Finland before Lytti made the journey and another child died in Canada a few years later. They raised their seven surviving children on the farm, alongside other Finnish families – the Ollikkas, Laukkanens, Liimatainens, Koivulas, Heikkonens, Lunkkinens, Haklis, Laines, Ruuskas, and Snellmans.
In 1951, Albert left the farm for a teaching job in East Coulee, Alberta. He was the first and only person in his family to graduate from university. Albert was a lifelong learner and later went on to receive his Master of Education.He continued to teach for another 24 years before turning his passion for photographing nature and wildlife into a successful second career.He made more than 100 nature films that were seen by audiences around the world.In 2007,he was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Science from Athabasca University.Albert retired with his wife, Pirkko, to live full-time at their log home on Amisk Lake.
Albert was pre-deceased by his eldest son Ben; his brother Alec; sisters Elvi and Martha; and brother-in-law Tom. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pirkko; his brothers Eino (Lavina), Paul (Maija), and Ed (Joyce); sister-in-law Helen; brother-in-law Ken; his children Vireo, Robin, Ava (Shannon), and Downy (Kerry); his grandchildren Brittany, Lucas (Jairah), Hannah and Aidan; his great grandchild Tobias; and our “little sister” Rebecca.
Like a true Finn,Albert died preparing the sauna for himself and his wife. He always said he wanted to die in the forest at Amisk Lake and he got his wish. Celebrations of Albert’s life will be in 2023. Details forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, Albert’s wife, Pirkko, has requested that friends and family who wish to donate in Albert’s memory could do so to the “Ben Karvonen Memorial Endowment” scholarship:
Please ensure on the memo or subject line of the tax deductible donation notes "Ben Karvonen Memorial Endowment"
Donations online
https://ualberta.alumniq.com/giving/to/givetoscience Enter the value of the donation
Select "Search for a fund" and start typing...
Ben Karvonen -
in which the option to select the fund will pop up.
By cheque or money order to:
Office of the Recording Secretary
University of Alberta
3-501 Enterprise Square
10230 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6
