Peter Carl Nissila

Roseburg, OR: Peter C. Nissila, 60, a former Michigan area businessman owner of the Nissila Greenhouses in Ripley, died on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at the Oregon Health & Sciences Hospital in Portland, OR from post stem cell transplant complications of leukemia. He was born in Hancock, Michigan on March 10, 1952 a son of the late Carl and Gertrude (Jarvenpaa) Nissila. He attended the Ripley grade school (a small 3 classroom schoolhouse) through 6th grade before graduating from Hancock Central High School in 1970. He then attended Michigan Tech University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, graduating with honors in 1974.After working at the family business for a year, he moved to Oregon in 1975 where he earned his Master's degree in horticulture in 1978. There he met his future wife, Jill Grossnicklaus, being married on December 30, 1977. When Pete's parents retired in 1984 after more than 25 years in business, the couple returned to Ripley to own and operate the greenhouses. After 25 years, they retired to Roseburg to be near family in that area. He was employed there as a horticulturist for Roseburg until ill health forced his retirement. In his youth, Pete enjoyed being with friends, including activities like boy scouts, camping in the hills of Ripley, editing the High School yearbook, playing intramural hockey at MTU, and enjoying the beauty of nature in the Portage Lake area. In later years, he was involved in his community including hosting a radio call in show for 23 years at WMPL-AM radio in Hancock, where he fielded questions live, on the-air about gardening, house plants, and flowers. He was quoted as "being a walking encyclopedia of gardening". He always seemed to have time to answer people's questions about plants, enjoying giving the answer with a smile. He was a leader in redoing Quintus Park for Make a Difference Day and designed the Stewart Park children's playground landscape. Peter taught Bible classes for 40 years and served on Church council. He was chairman when stricken with leukemia (AML). He was active in the Hancock, MI Rotary Club serving as treasurer and president. He actively trained and supported youth throughout his career. He earned his Master Gardener certification in Oregon and taught courses in Michigan for 20 plus years. He had a strong Christian faith, had a great smile, and a good sense of humor. His death will be a great loss to his family, many friends and community members. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Jon Edward Nissila. He is survived by his wife Jill, his mother-in-law, and many other relatives and friends. A memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 17th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Roseburg. A Memorial Service will be held at his church in Hancock, Michigan, Zion Lutheran, at 11:00 am on Friday, May 25th with Pastor Gerry Southerton officiating. Interment will follow in his family lot at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock. Friends may call at The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock on Thursday, May 24 from 4 until 8 pm and for an hour before the service at the church on Friday. To leave online condolences please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com or www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com Please send memorials to the Oregon Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland, OR 97219; or, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 750 West Keady, Roseburg, OR 97471. The family is planning a public garden in Honor of Pete and donation my be forwarded to Jill. Wilson's Chapel of the Roses is in charge of local arrangements.