Obituary for
Rolf Kainer Larka
HOPEWELL JUNCTION – Rolf Kainer Larka, 79, an area resident since 1972, died on September 6, 2016 at the Wingate at Dutchess after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He previously lived in Brooklyn, NY.
Born in Narpes, Finland on August 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Sigurd Erik and Ingrid Cecilia (Skinnars) Larka. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Sven-Erik Larka. He proudly served in the US Air Force from 1955-1959. Rolf retired as an Aircraft Engineer from SAS Scandinavian Airlines in Newark, NJ. He had also worked for several other airlines and had previously been a home builder locally.
Rolf had a love of international travel and loved visiting new places. He was proud of his Finnish heritage, and especially enjoyed fishing and appreciating wildlife.
Rolf was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Fishkill. He was also a member of the Balder Green Point Masonic Lodge #403, Lomala Civic Association, American Legion Post #1302, and the East Fishkill Republican Club.
On April 6, 1963 in Brooklyn, Rolf married Britta Nylund who survives at home. He is also survived by his daughters, Terry Ann Lussow and her husband Jonathan of Hopewell Junction and Dr. Ulla-Britt Larka-Froming and her husband David of Houston, TX; his grandchildren whom he adored, Tyler Ross Lussow who attends Ithaca College and the twins, Justin David and Jon-Erik Froming of Houston, TX; his 2 nieces, Amanda Gullo and Laurie Hennessey; and his 2 nephews, Gary Larka and Eric Larka.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:30 am at the funeral home followed by burial at Fishkill Rural Cemetery with military honors.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Wingate at Dutchess especially Imtiaz Mallick, MD, the Grand at Pawling, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for the wonderful care, kindness, and compassion shown to Rolf and his family.
Donations may be made in Rolf’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or the Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. Please visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.