Niilo would be proud

Niilo would be proud that his son-in-law Gary (that’s me) won his first election to the Golden Valley Electric Cooperative board of directors. This was a spirited campaign with a well known Fairbanks businessman who was a one term incumbent as competition.

I was not so much running against my competition (who is a friend of mine), but because I’d been involved as a co-op member for several decades, believe in the cooperative model and have both the expertise and time to devote to helping set policy and direction for this $250 million non-profit organization.

My mom, who died last year at the age of 94, would also have been proud as she raised me to get involved in making the world a better place. Thanks, Mom.

More info if you want to know:

Kids Gathered and Books

The 5 kids (now grown-ups) of Niilo and Joan gathered at the homestead for a couple weeks earlier in March to go over the 1000 or so books and journals that Niilo had collected over the years. They selected some each for themselves, Joan kept some for the house and most of the rest went to the Ester Library storage, to hopefully be constructed in the next few years. It was a daunting task.

They also completed the necessary work involved to settle Niilo’s estate, a mere 15 or so months since he died on Dec. 3, 2013. Chena has worked very hard during this time as the personal representative for the estate, but all siblings and Joan played a part. Also a daunting task.

Now as Niilo would have said, “Onward”.

Speaking of grandkids

Speaking of grandkids, I’ll speak to the ones I know about, of Chena and me: Max and Ben.

On Nov. 22, 2014, Max got married to his partner of 9 years Sophia Snyder in Jamaica Plain (Boston), MA. It was a lovely wedding. The families then spent a few days after in a house off Cape Cod. It was very relaxing, reading, game-playing, walking in the woods. Sophia works for HarvardX and Max continues to play contradance music around the U.S. and Canada as well as organizing dance weekends and helping the contradance community where he can.
Sophia-Max-bw
Wedding party outside

Ben and his long time girlfriend Lauren were of course at the wedding and after. Ben is working for the State of Alaska Dept. of Transportation in Anchorage providing needed computer support for the department throughout Southcentral Alaska. Lauren has finishing her medical technology certification requirements and hopes to be working in the field shortly.
Lauren-Ben-outside

Gary

Thanks

On behalf of the Koponen family, our thanks to all who came to Niilo’s memorial program yesterday and especially those who came from far away. It was great to see and hear from so many friends in so many walks of life whose lives Niilo touched.

In the next few days, I’ll have some photos from the event posted and work to figure out how to best post the memorial program video, so stay tuned if you are interested.

Gary

Niilo memorial Sun. Jan. 5, 2014 – 2 pm at Pioneer Park, Fairbanks

Just a reminder that we will be having a memorial for Niilo on Sun. Jan. 5, 2014 – 2 pm at the Pioneer Park Civic Center in Fairbanks. There will be a formal program in the theatre for the first hour with opportunity for attendees to offer their reminisces. Following this, the Exhibit Hall will have a display of memorabilia that the family has gathered, to represent some of the many activities and causes that Niilo was involved with on behalf of community over his many decades.

Most of Niilo’s far flung family (kids and grandkids) is coming to Fairbanks for this, as well as friends and colleagues from other parts of Alaska. This is an opportunity for sharing stories, re-making acquaintances, and being a part of the Fairbanks community of doers that we are.

Niilo Koponen legislative papers 1982-1992

I was putting together some background for Niilo’s memorial upcoming Jan. 5 and ran across a listing of his legislative papers donated to the Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska. The sheer quantity and breadth of subject matter demonstrates Niilo’s ability to absorb and be involved in so much during his time in the Alaska Legislature. It was in his nature to always be learning and trying to promote his values of community and social good. Sadly, such a person would have a hard time getting elected in Fairbanks, Alaska these days. He was truly special.