Sulo Walli

Obituary (But Really, a Love Letter to Sulo Walli)

Born October 20, 1928, on a homestead in Tamarack, Minnesota, Sulo Walli entered the world with a twinkle in his eye, a story to tell, and a heart wide open. The son of Jacob and Sophia Walli, and one of twelve siblings, Sulo grew up surrounded by hard work, faith, and family, all things that would become the cornerstones of his own life.

On a dance floor more than 72 years ago, he met the love of his life, Delores, and together they built a family rooted in love, faith, and laughter. They raised four children, David, Debbi, Susan, and Lisa, welcomed Patty and Tom as their own, and became proud grandparents to five and great-grandparents to twelve more. Over the years, their love extended beyond their immediate family as they fostered more than 20 children, offering a home filled with warmth, kindness, and the kind of steady presence that made everyone feel safe and seen.

Sulo spent his school years at Lakeside School on Finn Road, then in Wright and Cromwell, graduating from Cromwell High in 1947. From 1951 to 1953, he served as Military Police for atomic energy, though his life’s greatest service was to his family, his community, and his faith.

After working as an instrument technician at Conoco Refinery in Wrenshall and Denver, Sulo retired 40 years ago and stepped fully into the life he loved most. He farmed beef cattle, perfected the art of the sauna, enjoyed the harvest from their garden, watched the swans on the lake, and cracked jokes over coffee with anyone lucky enough to stop by.

A true steward of the land, Sulo cared deeply about the earth and spent years planting over 5,000 trees, leaving behind a legacy of roots that will continue to grow for generations.

He was always up for a game of cribbage and carried his handmade cribbage board wherever he traveled, never turning down a chance to play.

Proud of his Finnish heritage, Sulo lived with "sisu," that steadfast grit and joyful determination, and passed it down to each generation. He traveled the world, stood on Finnish soil with pride, and never missed an opportunity to nudge Delores, look around at his family, and say, “We are so blessed.”

Sulo’s faith was the guiding light of his life. Through his words, his actions, and even the songs he wrote, including “Love One Another” and “It’s A Miracle,” he shared God’s love with everyone he met. His stories often ended with a gentle reminder to “keep an attitude of gratitude,” because Sulo believed deeply that life itself was a gift.

Of course, no reflection on Sulo would be complete without mentioning his humor, the quick wit, the perfectly timed one-liners, and his signature joke about “the guy with the comb… he couldn’t part with it.” That joke, like Sulo himself, is woven into the fabric of our family, and now, it feels impossible to part with him.

Sulo passed peacefully in his sleep, on March 20, 2025, next to the love of his life, just as he had lived, surrounded by love.

But he taught us well: to treasure the laughter, lean on our faith, and love each other deeply. And so, with joyful hearts and tearful eyes, we nudge Delores, look around at this family, and say, “We are so blessed.”

Special thanks to Evergreen Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care and for loving Sulo and his jokes as much as we do.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church or Lakeside Community Club.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 29th at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN  55720 at 1 PM with Visitation 1 hour prior.