Raija Helena Kuismi

Raija Helena Mantila Kuismi, age 83, of Winter Haven, Florida, formerly of Minneapolis and Park Rapids, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at the Wedgewood Assisted Living Facility in Winter Haven, Florida. Raija was born on February 1, 1938 to Juho Fredrik and Aina Maria (Jarvinen) Mantila in Parkano, Finland. Her childhood was quite exceptional. Her mother died when she was only 7 years old and two years later her father also died. After that Raija's eldest sister Mirjam had to take care of Raija and the other 8 siblings. However, the poor and sad childhood did not break the great spirit she had. She was always glad, positive, brave and determined. While in Finland, Raija received a degree in Business and Administration from Pori Polytechnic, a school and city in Southwest Finland. She then worked in Helsinki, Finland and shared an apartment with her sister Kyllikki. Raija eventually made a trip to Lake Worth, Florida where she met Onni Kuismi from Minneapolis, Minnesota, thru a mutual friend. Onni and Raija were married November 16, 1978 and made their home in Minneapolis. Onni worked for the Minnegasco Company while Raija worked at Northwest National Bank. During this time Raija studied hard and eventually became a Citizen of the United States. She was quite proud of that accomplishment! With Onni she made many trips back to Finland to visit family and other relatives and friends. In May 1995 after Raija retired from the bank, Onni and Raija moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota where they made their home at Summerfield Apartments to be closer to Onni's family. After 5 short years, Onni passed away on June 24, 2000. Raija then made the decision to move to Florida where she had always dreamed of living. She loved the warm weather year round and did not like the cold Minnesota winters. She bought a home in Mulberry, Florida - just east of Tampa. During this time she also fulfilled her dreams of traveling more. In addition to her many trips back to Finland, she also went to Australia, London, Paris and a tour of three US National Parks - Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon and Zion. One of her most memorable trips was to China with Jerry and Deana Kivi, June and Leland Jarpey, and Priscilla Harvala. She enjoyed China but she was so grateful to be back in the United States that she knelt down and kissed the ground. Raija will be lovingly remembered by her brother Mikko Mantila of Parkano, Finland; brother Osmo Mantila of Parkano, Finland; sister Eine Niittyla of Espoo, Finland and sister Kyllikki Mantila of Espoo, Finland plus numerous nieces and nephews in Finland. She will also be remembered by her sister-in-law Sylvia Irene Kuismi Harvala and her husband Floyd Harvala as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends in the US. Raija was preceded in death by her parents - her husband Onni - 3 brothers - Leo, Reino and Vilho and 2 sisters - Mirjam Mantila and Kerttu Rintamaki. Also by Onni's siblings-1 brother Leonard (Luella) and 5 sisters - Sally (Onni) Niemela, Ellen (Reino) Santi, Ingrid (Hugo) Koski, Lyyli (Elmer) Schwartz, and Martha (Eldon) Ollanketo. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Pickerel Lake Church rural Wolf Lake, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Alajoki Cemetery.