Molla H. Kanerva, 91

Molla H. Kanerva died Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Springfield, Vermont. She was born April 8, 1925, in Newport, the daughter of the late Ruben Heidenblad and Alice Nelson Heidenblad. She married Lennard Kanerva on Sept. 10, 1949. He predeceased her on Dec. 24, 1999 after 50 years of marriage. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was also predeceased by two brothers, Howard and Norman Heidenblad; a sister, Charlotte Hammond; and her beloved son, Alan Kanerva, who passed away June 18, 2008 after a long battle with cancer.

Molla graduated from Towle High School in Newport in 1943. She went to work for the Selective Service System at the local draft board for two years and then went to work at the Citizens Bank in Newport in July of 1945 and remained in banking until her retirement in May of 1987. 

She and her husband had moved to Springfield in 1986. After her retirement, they spent several years traveling here and abroad until his declining health in 1997.

Survivors include two nephews, Evan and David Hammond; a cousin, Elizabeth Heidenblad DeGraaf; her daughter-in-law, Leslie Kanerva; and long-time friends and neighbors, Raymond and Ruth Lacasse and their family.

At her request, there will be no calling hours or service. A private committal will take place at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport. Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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