Helen Laila Elizabeth Tuomi (nee Karkela]
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Not Available
Tuomi [nee Karkela], Helen Laila Elizabeth
Helen Laila Elizabeth Karkela was born on August 10th 1918 to John S. & Alina [Paurus] Karkela in Sebeka, Minnesota.
Helen worked as a 'Rosie the Riveter' on the West Coast during World War II. During the war she worked long hard hours in the shipyards in San Fransico, repairing, rebuilding, and even welding merchant ships for the U.S. Navy. She contributed to this impossible feat and helped turn the tide in the war.
After the war, she married Army veteran Reino Jalmer 'Ray' Tuomi on July 27th 1946 in Wadena, Minnesota. She became a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Helen died on September 29th 2007 at the age of 89 years in Hibbing, Minnesota. She is buried at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.
Source(s)
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Helen Laila Elizabeth Karkela Tuomi (1918-2007) - Find a Grave Memorial
