Elmer R. Liimatta

 parents were Francis Ainard and Mamie E. (Peterson) Liimatta. The family moved to Princess Point
along the South Portage Canal in 1936 and he started school there.  He attended school in Boston
Location, South Range, and Baraga.  In those early years his family operated a small logging camp where
the family lived with their workers together in a small log home they built on the property they were
logging.  This was rustic living in a one room cabin with a dirt floor and sleeping bunks, along with a
rustic kitchen. Everyone ate, socialized, and slept in the same cabin.
 
After a number of years, the family moved to Detroit in September of 1942 in search of work in the auto
industry.  They settled in Hazel Park, Michigan in 1943.  Elmer graduated from Hazel Park High School in
June 1951. He met Ruth Tapio not long before being drafted for the Army during the Korean War.  Elmer
graduated from Army basic training, wheeled vehicle mechanic school and track vehicle mechanic
school, Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He went on to serve in the US Army 1952-54 as Tank Mechanic and Motor
Sergeant with fifteen months during the War overseas in Korea.  He served in the 40th Infantry Division,
160th Regiment, Tank Company, and was promoted from private to sergeant E-5, November 1953.  Of
note is Elmer and his small squad of mechanics prepared a non-running Army tank and made it ready to
operate and transport Marilyn Monroe when she visited the Korean War during a ceasefire.  When
asked about this event, he wasn’t impressed and saw it as a distraction from his regular work.  
 
Elmer studied further in life at Andrews University and the Detroit Bible Institute.  He received a
Bachelor of Religious Education from the merged Detroit Bible College and William Tyndale College. He
later received a Masters Degree in guidance & counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a PhD
of Ministry from The Ecumenical Theological Seminary.  Dad really valued education and encouraged
everyone to continue learning throughout their life.  Elmer received the Annual Alumni Award from
Suomi College in 1981, and the Suomi-Seura Recognition Award in 1995 for Community Service. As
further evidence of his life-long learning, Dad self published his first book in 2022. It is “The Spy With
One Finger” about his friend Arvid Jacobson from Covington, MI.
 
Elmer served as a Pastor of the Detroit and then Southfield Lutheran Church for forty years.  He was one
of four founding members and teachers of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Seminary in 1964,
Plymouth, Minnesota, and now renamed the Inter-Lutheran Seminary, it is located in Hancock,
Michigan. The Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary is incorporated as a non-profit religious organization
whose purpose is to establish and maintain a theological institution for the training of Christian
ministers and workers.
 
Elmer was also the founding member and Chairman of the Finnish Center Association Senior Citizens
Housing which developed the retirement community of Tapiola Village in Farmington Hills, Michigan. 

This organization helps address the housing needs of elderly in the Detroit area, especially seniors of
Finnish decent.   
 
Elmer's father Ainard was a mechanic by nature and worked at Packard Motor Car and the Ford
Transmission Plant in Detroit. As such, he taught Elmer a love for cars and tools. At an early age Elmer 
knew his life hobby was to be repairing and building cars.  He spent a lot of time thinking about a
problem and working on cars and trucks. He really liked to find and drag a vehicle out of the weeds and
make it run and drive down the road again. In this light, he helped many individuals find a good
repaired car when they were in need of transportation.
 
Elmer was active in working with US Veterans and their dependents through the Veterans of Foreign
Wars (VFW). He served and Chaplain Post 6507 Chassell, Michigan, District 15 Chaplain, State of
Michigan Chaplain 2008 — 2011, and the VFW National Chaplain 2010-2011. In 2010 he was also
selected as UP Veteran of the Year and was recognized as such by the Michigan Governor. Elmer really
enjoyed serving the veterans of Copper Country in whatever counseling, consoling, or befriending role
he could give.
 
Elmer lived a life of service as Army Sergeant, Pastor, Chairman of FCA Senior Citizens Housing,
Southfield Police Chaplain, Board Member and Teacher at Inter-Lutheran Seminary, State of Michigan
VFW Chaplain, and National VFW Chaplain.  The family would like to thank the Southfield Apostolic
Church and the Alston, Atlantic Mine, Bruce Crossing, and Zion Lutheran Apostolic Church congregations
for allowing dad and mom to serve them periodically in the last 25 years.  The family would also like to
thank the staff at UP Home Health & Hospice and the staff at Canal View—Houghton County Medical
Care Facility for their care and support.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would encourage donations
to Zion Lutheran Church—Camp Lahti, in Hancock, Michigan, the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary in
Hancock, Michigan, or the Copper Country Habitat for Humanity, also in Hancock.  Dad’s life was spent
serving “His Heavenly Father”, and he loved every minute of it.

A combined “Celebration of Life” Service for Elmer, Ruth, and brother Steve (Jake) is planned for Friday
June 23, 2023 at 11:00am at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, Michigan.

Elmers Commitment From Pilgrim's Progress: “My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my
courage and skill to him that can get it. My works and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I
have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.”  So he passed over and all the trumpets sounded
for him on the other side.
 
Elmer would say that everyone is born with a light--we are all here in order to glorify God, and enjoy
Him forever.

To view Elmer's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.