SALT LAKE CITY — Arthur R. Siirola, 90, died Dec. 4, 2010. Siirola was born May 1, 1920, to John and Johanna Siirola, who immigrated from Finland to the United States with their first five children in 1910. Siirola was the youngest of their 10 children, and was born and raised in Virginia, Minn. He entered the Navy and served as a pilot in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired after 23 years with the rank of commander. He married Nancy Ellen Harris in 1944. He worked as a commercial artist in Toledo, Ohio, where they raised their family of six children. In 1960, the family moved to Salt Lake City, and Sirrola began his 23-year career with Hercules. In 1963, he built the home in which he lived the rest of his life. Siirola enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, sculpting, painting, riding in the Salt Lake City Police Palomino Possee, and gardening. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth and was active throughout his life in scouting. He is survived by his wife Nancy Ellen Siirola; children Jeffrey (Sharon), James (Rebecca), Karen, Thomas (Christy), Ellen (Burny), Janet (Larry); 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many extended relatives and friends. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Ann Catholic Church. Interment was in the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Stay Connected With Us