Sirpa Helina Harms

Sirpa Helina Harms died peacefully in her sleep on June 8, 2024 after several years of declining health. Thanks to the care of her son Eerik and Hospice Austin, she was able to live out her life at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Sirpa was born on February 20, 1933 to Hjalmar (Jalmari) and Aino Aaltonen near Riihimaki, Finland. She was the fourth child of five. Jalmari was a farmer and builder. The family farmed on part of a larger estate. She grew up during Finland's war with Russia, when Finnish cities were being bombed. Because the family lived outside of town in a forested area, they were safer. But two uncles were killed when a Russian plane dropped bombs in the field next to the family home.

As Finland recovered from the war years, Sirpa developed an interest in learning English. Her experience caring for ailing and dying relatives inspired her to pursue a nursing career. She went to nursing school in Helsinki. While on ski vacation in Lapland, she met a young American Fulbright scholar, Robert (Bob) Harms who was interested in Finnish and related languages. They bonded on their interest in skiing and the outdoors. A courtship followed and they were married in Riihimaki on July 1, 1956. Their honeymoon was a backpacking trip to the Sarek Wilderness in Swedish Lapland.

That fall, Bob returned to the University of Chicago to work on his doctorate in linguistics. Sirpa and their first child joined him in Chicago in May 1957. By August 1958, they had a second child and moved to Austin, Texas where Bob became a professor at the University of Texas' Slavic Department, and later the newly formed Linguistics Department. By May 1961 they were a family of six.

The family returned to Finland for extended stays in the early and late 1960s. Sirpa and the children lived with her family, while Bob was in the Soviet Union and later in Hungary. Bob and Sirpa always spoke Finnish at home, so the children grew up bilingual.

Sirpa remained connected to her Finnish heritage and became an informal representative for Finnish visitors and newcomers to the Austin area. She founded the annual Austin "Finnish picnics" around Independence Day (December 6) and Vappu (May 1). This tradition still continues with the small Finnish community of Central Texas.

Bob and Sirpa's interest in the outdoors continued. The family spent many a vacation camping and hiking around Texas and Colorado. Big Bend National Park was a regular destination. Sunday afternoons were usually spent at a nearby park.

By the late 1960s, Bob and Sirpa began to watch birds. Sirpa also had a long time interest in plants, something she brought with her from Finland. Their treks focused on birds and plants, including a memorable trip to El Cielo in Mexico, and later Sirpa's trip to Ecuador and the Amazon.

When her youngest child was in high school, Sirpa returned to nursing and worked for many years at St. David's Hospital in the medical unit. She was active in social ministry at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and for many years delivered Meals on Wheels lunches to the homebound.

In the mid 70s, Bob and Sirpa purchased 50 acres in northern Hays county and named it after her grandmother's home: Purola (Finnish for "place with a creek"). Their focus moved toward studying, relaxing and restoring an overgrazed Hill Country valley.

Sirpa's interest in travel, native plants and animals continued into her 80s. She loved to explore and study nature. She leaves a library full of books and notes and many memories of her travels.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Bob, sister Anneli, and brothers Hannu and Raimo. She is survived by her children, Kirsti and husband Jeff, Ritva, Eerik and Timo, grandson Julian, her oldest brother Pertti and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Finland.

Sirpa didn't want a funeral, but there are plans for a Celebration of Life to be held this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in her memory to organizations that help animals or preserve nature, such as the Native Plant Society of Texas, Native Prairies Association of Texas or Austin Pets Alive.