Henry “Hank” Roland Palkki, age 74, of Centuria, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.
He was born on Oct. 7, 1951, to Henry and Sara (Pehkonen) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Hank attended elementary school in Grand Rapids before moving to Duluth, Minnesota, where he graduated from Central High School in 1969. While in high school, Hank met Sharon Penkert who attended the rival Denfeld High School. Hank and Sharon went ice skating for their first date, and Hank fell for Sharon quickly telling her that he loved her on their date. Young and in love, Sharon and Hank were married in 1970. Although they later divorced and married other people for a period of time, they eventually found their way back to each other and were again married on Oct. 15, 1988.
Throughout his life, Hank lived all over the country—including Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota and finally ending in Wisconsin. Hank was a talented handyman and worked various maintenance jobs.
During his free time, Hank enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on cars. He always had a love for animals and had many pets over the years. Hank will be remembered for his great sense of humor.
Hank was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Barbara Palkki. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Laura (Darron) Dickinson, Mark Kuznia, Peter (Molly) Kuznia, and Julie (Jose) Arevalo; grandchildren, Morgan (Braden) Olmstad, Brady Kuznia, Raegan Dickinson, Dylan Dickinson, Logan Kuznia, Marshall Kuznia, Malachi Espinosa, Mason Arevalo and Marcello Arevalo; brother, James Palkki; and other loving friends and family.
A visitation will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, Wisconsin. The burial will take place after the visitation at the Amery Cemetery.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery.
