Toivo Edward Pihlaja, 89, of Mass City (East Branch), Michigan died November 16, 2005 at Josephson Nursing Home in Ironwood, surrounded by his children, after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer's. He was born on June 12, 1916 in Calumet, Michigan to Mike and Hilda (Lantto) Pihlaja. He attended the East Branch 1-room elementary school, and spent most of his life in East Branch, near the farm where he grew up. He was a member of the East Branch VFW. His children remember him never missing a Memorial Day Parade, or funeral of another fallen soldier. He truly appreciated the outdoors, and was an active hunter, baseball fan, and a member of the horseshoe league.

Toivo served in World War II from September 1942 through July 1945. As an infantry sharpshooter in Company G of the 109th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division, he participated in D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle in the Hurtgen Forest, and the Battle of Bastone. As George Mikkola, local history teacher, used to say, Toivo was one of the very few men who marched across Europe with his rifle, was in every major battle, and lived to tell about it. At time of his honorable discharge, he was a staff sergeant and had been awarded many medals including the Bronze Star for putting himself in harms way to protect his company in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest.

During his lifetime, he was served as manager of the Wausau Siding Cooperative, a construction worker, butcher, carpenter, and sawyer. He also volunteered many hours helping family and friends doing home construction and repair.

He is survived by three children; Bonnie (Dave) Liebmann of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Bruce (Joanne) of Bessemer, Michigan, and Dr. Deborah (John) Fischer of Green Bay, Wisconsin; eleven grandchildren, Lee, Tom, and Billy Jo Wentela, Katie Liebmann, Jennifer and Robert Pihlaja, Michelle Pihlaja-Olsen, and Callie, Megan, Lauren and Emma Fischer; and seven great-grandchildren, David, Hayley, Dylan, Carley, Sarah, and Lexie Wentela, and Dayne Olsen. He is also survived by three sisters, Taimi (Edward) Saaranen, Tyne Keto, and Helen (Tom) Brill, and two brothers, Arvo (Vi) Pihlaja and Arthur (Lilly) Pihlaja. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Sulo, and infant sister Aino. Funeral service will take place Friday, November 18th at 2 p.m. at the Cane Funeral Home, Pastor Michael Laakko officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service. Burial will take place in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Greenland. Friends may view Toivo's obit and leave condolences at canefuneralhome.com.