- Mimmi Maisi Matilda Kariniemi, later Mamie Gunnar, was born in Kittilä, Finland in 1892 as the second child and daughter for Matti and ”Kirsti” Kariniemi.
- Her grandfather Samuel and aunts Hanna, Ida and Sandra together with uncles Aate, Eeli and Oskari had emigrated to the USA in the late 1800’s.
- As her aunt Ida visited home in Kittilä in 1909, she accompanied her back to the USA and emigrated to Washington state. (See the Blog ”Ida – Amerikan täti”)
- Mimmi married Matti Gunnar (Matthew Gunnar), a Norway – Finland rooted gentleman in 1913 and they raised two daughters, Doris (b. 1914, later Westman) and Joan (b. 1924, later Engstrom).
- Fortunately some of her letters to relatives back home in Finland are saved and available for us to see and hear.
- The first letter in this serie is from 1949 was sent to her cousin Alli Tuomainen.
- Please note the reference links at the bottom of this page.
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Picture Gallery
All pictures from Kariniemi family collection
Matti and Kirsti Kariniemi with children Matti Aleksanteri (left), Väinö and Elli. A photo of daughter Mimmi on the wall on the right. 
Mimmi and Matti Gunnar wedding photo 
Matti and Mimmi-Gunnar with daughter Doris 
Mimmi (center) w/ cousins Lyyli Moberg and Liisu Kiuru at the Kariniemi estate in 1952. 
Mimmi and Matt Gunnar on their golden wedding anniversary in 1963 together with their family. 
The hand written letter from Mimmi to cousin Alli 
Alli Tuomainen pukeutunut Tullivirkailijan asuun.
Vastaa