On January 6, 1939 God graced us with the arrival of Kaisu Marjatta Hartikka Rusiecki. On Sept 20, 2025 at the age of 86 she was called home. Kaisu was born in Oulu, Finland to Juho and Tyyne Hartikka. Her life in Finland was filled with joy, laughter and boundless memories. Kaisu’s teenage years, during the 50’s, were exactly what you would imagine; She loved boating, skiing, going to the movies, collecting “Hollywood” magazines and running out to get the newest fashions. She was often compared to Elizabeth Taylor or Joan Collins. 

In 1959 after attending business school, she decided to take a chance, follow her heart and go to the United States. Ultimately, this would change the course of her life, as her original plan was to simply visit her family in Winnipeg, Canada. But it was there that she met the love of her life Melvin Rusiecki. They were inseparable and were married within months of falling in love. Shortly after they were married, Kaisu and Melvin started their family and settled in the West End where mom became a pillar in the community. She was the neighborhood “mom” to every kid that passed through our door and in the Principal Sparling school area. 

Mom was always a fixture volunteering at school activities and taught us at a very young age that we were to be “citizens” of our school and community. She volunteered through the years for the late, great Stanley Knowles and others throughout her lifetime as a proud member of the NDP party. She was an avid learner and always stayed up to date with current events. 

Later on, Kaisu took on part time jobs including working for Eaton’s. Throughout her life she was able to make trips back to Finland to visit her beloved brother Esko and her mother.

Once Kaisu’s children were grown, she loved spending time with them and their new and growing families of dogs and children. 

Mummu and Papa’s lives revolved around the lives and love of their grandchildren. They were always there, Mummu for weeks at a time traveling to places including Michigan, Wisconsin and New York to spend Christmas and summer with them. They never missed their important sporting and musical events. They were their biggest cheerleaders and second parents to them. Mummu was a wonderful baker, storyteller, and she loved to clean, always making sure she created a perfect home while making everyone around her feel loved. She was selfless, compassionate and when she made up her mind, she was determined. No matter what the circumstance, no matter what life threw at her, she always found a way to persist and always with love. 

Kaisu was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Melvin; parents, Juho and Tyyne Hartikka; brother, Tauno; and sisters, Helvi and Elsi.

She is survived by her son, Peter (Debi) of Osoyoos; daughter, Maria (Donald); grandchildren, Geoff (Alison), Amy (Jeff), Lauren (James), Annie (Brian); and great grandchildren, Elle, Spencer, and Madelyn of Boston.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brightwater Senior Living, and especially her companion and care giver, Ann Schuck, for all the love and care she gave our precious Kaisu.

A small intimate funeral will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for family and close friends at Cropo Funeral Chapel with a light lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Alzheimer Society of Canada; https://www.alzheimer.ca >donate

Rest in peace my beautiful mommy. Hug Papa for us