Matthew Hillukka

Matthew Edwin Hillukka, age 42, was born on March 7th, 1979 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, to Wilfred and Sharon Hillukka.

Matt lived in Minneapolis until the family moved to Menahga in 1980. He attended and finished high school in Sebeka, Minnesota. His jobs in his early years were J&B Foods, building pole barns, and doing power pole inspections in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Texas. He then went to school at Staples Tech for Machine Tool & Die while milking cows at Jensen’s farm. He moved to Minneapolis in the fall of 2000 and worked for Tichy Stone & Brick. Shortly after, he started his subcontracting business doing stone work, framing, and general carpentry. From May 2011 to May 2016, he worked for Calfrac Well Services in Williston, North Dakota. After, he continued his construction subcontracting business.

Matt met his future wife on New Year’s Eve of 2000. He married Anna Mari Tarnanen on October 20th, 2001. God blessed them with eight children. They lived in Minnetonka, Maple Grove, and Albertville where Matt built a house. In 2007 they moved to Park Rapids, where he built three houses. They moved to Menahga in 2013 where he built their current home. Matt called it the “Red Ranch” due to the red Angus cattle he raised.

Matt will be remembered by his gifts of research, well-rounded knowledge and skills. Many people learned to ask Matt questions and listen. He enjoyed ice fishing, raising cattle, yard work, mountain biking, hunting, and motorhome traveling. Although Matt was a boy at heart, he loved and cared so much about his children. He wanted to instill a strong sense of responsibility, accountability, and determination. His kids lovingly describe him as nice, amazing, skillful, caring, thoughtful, special, and fun. Matt was a faithful caregiver for his wife and children, loving them unconditionally, and providing them a secure home. He leaves behind the many blessings of his love and labor.

Matt was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer on June 1st, 2017. He fought a valiant battle for four years. He had a strong desire to remain with his loved ones. When no other treatment options were available on June 23rd, 2021, Matt accepted the will of our Heavenly Father. On September 1st, 2021 surrounded by his wife, children, family, and friends, dear Matthew was peacefully called to his eternal rest.

Matthew is survived by his wife, Anna of Menahga, Minnesota and seven children: Gretchen, Davin, Megan, Brenna, Lindsey, Adam, and Luke. He is also survived by one brother and seven sisters: Heidi (Bryan) Kumpula of Menahga; Karen (Mark) Schultz of Verndale; Susan (Jason) Yliniemi of Park Rapids; Kristine (Timothy) Juntunen of Menahga; Jodi (Brian) Smith of Park Rapids; Benjamin Hillukka of Menahga; Jennifer (Peter) Kremer of Park Rapids; Kimberly Hillukka of Menahga; numerous family, friends and brothers and sisters in faith. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Wyatt, and his parents, Wilfred and Sharon Hillukka.

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