Mrs. Evelyn Pearl Jalkanen Pearl Jalkanen formerly of Hancock MI passed away surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday evening November 13 2007 at Harbor Cove in Port Washington WI where she had been a resident for the last few years. She was 89 years old. Evelyn was born to Howard and Agnes (Birk) Trudgeon on April 18 1918 in Calumet Michigan. She was part of the Cooper Country Songsters (With her four siblings Viola Jack Bill and Marjie) who performed in many venues and had a radio show. She loved music and sang opera. She finished Calumet High School and went to work to earn money to go to college ndash; something very unusual in the late 1930rsquo;s and early 1940rsquo;s. She met her husband Ralph Jalkanen at college. She was the college soloist and he accompanied her on the piano. He attended seminary to become a minister for the Finnish Lutheran Church while she studied Finnish so she could help with the ministry. They married May 23 1942. They worked as a team at St. Peterrsquo;s Lutheran Church in New York Mills MN Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago IL and Bethany Lutheran Church in Ashtabula OH while she also raised their four children. Pearl continued her operatic singing career particularly in Chicago where she was a soloist for the Sibelius Orchestra. In 1960 they moved to Hancock MI when Ralph accepted the presidency of Finlandia University (then Suomi College). Pearl continued to be involved in her husbandrsquo;s work as she managed social obligations from various open houses for staff visitors and students; entertaining dignitaries; and attending dinners and receptions for the President of Finland at the President Ford White House. She was soloist in a choir that traveled through Europe and in the US and visited the president for Finland several times in Finland. She met and touched the lives or many. She was gracious in the midst of difficult times. After 40 years in Hancock MI she moved to Harbor Cove in Port Washington WI. She is survived by two sons Paul (Kay) of Gaffney SC and John (Rozanne) of Encinitas CA two daughters Ruth (Bud) Sova of Port Washington WI and Anne (Tim) Miller of Naples FL two brothers Jack (Helen) Trudgeon of Mesa AZ and Bill Trudgeon of Warren MI two sisters Viola DuPuis of Lake Linden MI and Marjorie of Portland OR six grandchildren five great-grandchildren nieces nephews other relatives and many friends. A private family service will be held at a later date. Pearl will be laid to rest next to her husband in Lakeside Cemetery Hancock MI. Memorials can be made to the Jalkanen Foundation c/o Port Washington State Bank 206 N. Franklin St. Port Washington WI 53074 www.pwsb.com The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.eernissefunerahlome.com .br /Service:br /pnbsp;/p