Longtime Sitkan
Lorein Savikko
Dies at Age 92
Longtime Sitka resident Lorein Savikko passed away early April 1 with her daughters, Linda and Lana, by her side. The two daughters had been her companions since mid 2004 and caregivers in recent years.
Lorein was born to Helen and Emil Vienola May 11, 1922, in Fredrick, South Dakota. Her family moved to Juneau when she was about 9 years old.
She married Herbert “Hap” Savikko on Nov. 6, 1940. The couple raised four daughters in their West Juneau home.
Aside from being a homemaker, Lorein served as an elections judge for many years. The polling site for North Douglas and West Juneau was their home on the Douglas Highway.
After all the “girls” graduated from high school, Lorein joined Hap on their commercial troller the Belle J.
They moved to Sitka in 1978, and fished the Belle J until 1990 when Hap retired at age 80. They then sold the Belle J.
Lorein always had a love for outdoors and loved gardening.
She was a lifetime member of the Sitka Pioneers of Alaska.
Lorein was preceded in death by her husband Hap Savikko on Sept. 29, 1994; her parents Helen and Emil Vienola; and brother Oscar Vienola of Watsonville, Calif.
She is survived by daughters Ellen Hopper of Daisetta, Texas, Elaine Evans of Centennial, Colorado, Linda Dawson and Lana Francis of Sitka; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren; brother Arthur Vienola of Lompoc, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanked Dr. Marilyn Coruzzi, nurse Christine, Ellen Hopper, Jody Berg, Joerene Hout, Allison Fields, and Kurt and Herman Savikko for their continued support via personal visits and telephone over the years.
At Lorein’s request there will be no memorial services. Family may be contacted by writing to P.O. Box 6068, Sitka, AK 99835.
