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Dawn Luoma uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
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Dawn Luoma Posted Oct 10, 2023 at 2:08 PM
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Katie Weise uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
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Missing Annika like crazy. She was such a bright light. Full of life, love, and understanding. I miss our talks. I'll never forget how she made me feel safe with anything we talked about. She always wanted to send good vibes and healing my way. It wasn't unusual to get a message from her saying, "Does my Katie need some healing vibes sent her way today!?" She cared so much about people's spiritual well-being. I know she's out there in the universe sending love and positivity to everyone who knew her. And probably to the rest of the world too. ❤️
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Steni Prussing lit a candle
Friday, April 28, 2023
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Katherine Kelly uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, April 20, 2023
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I am so saddened to hear of Annika’s passing.
I will always remember her as a hilarious, sensitive, loyal, sweetheart who was one of my best friends in middle school. We loved playing hockey, rollerblading, snowboarding, going to concerts (Sugar Ray, most of all), playing instruments, watching movies, and getting into just the right amount of trouble. I think we laughed nonstop for years on end. I am so lucky to have known her. May she rest in peace, and skate fast, forever.
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mickey uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 14, 2023
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Love you Annika
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Katie Weise posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
I've been trying to find the right words to say here, but everything seems wrong. This all feels wrong, having lost such a beautiful soul far too soon. The world seems a darker place without Annika in it.
To Dawn and Rich: I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine the pain you and your family are going through, and I am here if you need me. Please know that she was loved by so many people.
Annika and I were best friends since we were 12 years old. It was always Anni and Katie - we did everything together. We played on the same hockey teams, went to middle school together, hung out every weekend/day off/summer - going to hidden beach, uptown, live shows, movies, or just hanging at her house. Those were my favorite days - Annika's house was the most comforting place to be growing up. I remember spending whole days at a time wrapped in blankets in her tv room watching movies together. We would spend so much of our time talking about anything and everything. Annika was smart, caring, extremely talented, and incredibly funny. Her laugh was absolutely infectious.
Annika had an unbelievably positive impact on my life. She taught me so many lessons in empathy, openmindednes, and friendship. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and would help any one of us in need anytime we needed it
As we grew older and we would see each other less often, we would reminisce on the good times, and help each other work through the hardships we had faced. She was great at finding the positives in any situation and helping you see a brighter path ahead. We may have drifted apart over the years, but we never lost touch. I wish I could have seen her more often, or told her just how much she meant to me a few more times... I'll never forget all the amazing moments Annika and I had together, because so many of them shaped who I am today. I love you so much Anni, thank you for everything. ❤️
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Elana Johnson posted a condolence
Sunday, April 9, 2023
I am truly lost for words. My heart hurts for the entire family and I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Annika has been on my mind heavy lately; I just thought it was because I was coming to town to get married and was telling my wife stories about all the times we would bike or rollerblade from Bryn Mawr over to Kenwood. All the Hidden Beach trips, the endless nights spent in Annikas room singing to Sugar Ray at the top of our lungs (she sure loved her some Mark McGrath), our snowboarding adventures and just constant laughs. She would often reach out to me when she was in the cities when she lived in Duluth and would ask if she could come over because she just needed someone to talk to ... she knew she didn't even have to ask because 5 seconds later she would be buzzing my apartment to be let in. Lol She was always such a genuine, real, compassionate soul who never wanted bad for anyone. She will be greatly missed by so many. Fly high angel, may you finally be at peace. <3
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rich varda uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 7, 2023
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I found this writing in Annika's notebook about hockey. To me, it felt like a poem:
A favorite place of mine, that I haven’t been able to visit for a while, is the hockey rink.
I played hockey from fifth grade, as a little kid, all the way to 10th grade.
Hockey is very close to my heart, and I’d have to say, there’s really nothing like the atmosphere of being geared up on an ice rink.
Coming out of the locker room, wearing equipment with the stench of old sweat, and a cage across my face, I felt like a warrior.
As I stepped onto the ice, the cold air would hit my face and surround my body.
My senses shifted, now experiencing an icy environment, a different world where you would glide instead of walk.
In these alien-like arctic surroundings, I felt very free and alive, because of how fast I could go.
As I glided down the rink, carving my way around the nets, I would become faster with each turn.
The icy air rushed into my face, putting me in a heavenly place.
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Sophie sims uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 7, 2023
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Sophie sims Posted Apr 7, 2023 at 12:34 AM
so sorry for your loss. Keep in touch. I am here for you.You will be missed Annika! I remember all the fun we have had when we were younger. Love Sophie sims-frederiksen
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Maija Varda uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, April 6, 2023
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I remember this car my Dad got in the early 90s, it had a keypad by the doorhandle so you could get in without a key. Annika was determined to get in.
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Maija Varda uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
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I never realized how much I really thought about my sister until this past week. Everytime I watch something, or see something, there’s a fleeting background thought in my mind, “Annika would like that” or “I wonder what Annika would think about that” or “I wonder if Annika knows about this?” To me it was just normal, so I didn’t think about it. But now that she is gone I realized I was thinking about her all the time. She was the love of my life, which was one of the last things I ever got to tell her. I hope you at a peace, Annika. I will miss you forever.
I hope you are up there with Grandpa John Patrick and Grandma Margaret; Mummy and Isa; Uncle Rudy and Aunt Nancy; and our beloved cousins Shannon, Alan, and Pam.
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PAMELA LUOMA posted a condolence
Monday, April 3, 2023
I am one of Annika's many aunts . Annika will be missed by many. She was a very sweet gal. I did not get to see her that often but she was always kind to me. She spent several Thanksgivings with us. I always enjoyed when her mom and sister would come for the holiday. About three years ago Dawn and Annika spent a week with us. It was so nice to see them both. One of the days happened to be my birthday and Annika bought me the sweetest card.
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Rich Varda posted a condolence
Monday, April 3, 2023
Yes, Annika had a fundamental sense of how design evoked emotions in the viewers. As an architect, I would often ask her what she thought of a particularly interesting building we saw, or some buildings in my architectural magazines. She always picked out the best ones and I asked her why they are good. Her insights were spot on. It was almost like a game we played.--
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Caylia Bender posted a condolence
Monday, April 3, 2023
I am a friend of Annika’s sister Maija. I only had a handful of interactions with her when I used to hang around their house in high school. I remember her being quiet and illusive, creative, independent with a cool sense of style. I know for certain how deeply Maija loved her unconditionally. As someone who has struggled with some of the same issues Annika did, I have deep empathy for her. My hope is that she found the peace she wasn’t able to find in this earthy world. Sending her family so much love.
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Catherine Ojakangas uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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Annika was a sweet sweet soul. Although I didn’t see her often, when I did she always told me she loved me, and also shared her difficulties. She was open and honest. I think she was one of those individuals who were too sensitive and innocent for this earth. She also had the most beautiful hair!
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Dawn Luoma uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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"If something happens to me, don't worry, Mom. I'll be in a better place."
Annika used to tell me that all the time. Most people probably don't know how spiritual she was. She attended the Lake Harriet Spiritual Center regularly. She was curious and always trying to figure life out. She struggled. I love her dearly.
Annika had lots of friends when she was growing up but as time went on they drifted away, understandably. She was very sensitive and felt deeply hurt when she thought a friend had been unfair to her. I couldn't get her to brush it off. But she would be so happy when/if they became friends again.
She lived with me almost all her life until she moved to her own apartment in Minneapolis in January 2016 to attend the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR). She was so excited! She was finally going to do what she loved: Music. Sometimes she did well but sometimes she struggled. She would often come live with me again for several months at a time.
I really liked spending time with Annika. Some days she slept all day, but when she was awake we had great conversations. She was willing to help with tasks like cleaning and rearranging. And when I was feeling lazy she usually didn't mind.
She was doing okay--not great, but okay--until the Pandemic. She was alone and fell prey to some unscrupulous people who promised her fame and fortune. She wasn't able to work temporary day jobs for money, and she lost her government support (GA and EBT) because she couldn't figure out or stay on task to get her forms signed and returned. That was the beginning of the end. Sometimes I couldn't get a hold of her for days or weeks. I would worry. Then she'd call, "Hi, Mom!" and I'd breathe a sigh of relief. Every time I saw or talked to her, though, I wondered if it would be the last time. The alst time she called me was the afternoon of Friday, March 17. I texted her later but got no response, which wasn't unusual. She slept a lot.
She told me she loved me all the time. Sometimes she'd just text it in the middle of the night and I'd see it when I woke up.
I won't be able to finish this in one sitting. Too difficult. But I'll add more thoughts as they come to me. Please feel free to add your own remembrances. I would like that.
I've been collecting/scanning photos of Annika. I'm not sure how many I'll be able to add here, but if any of you would like a link to my photo album of her online, just email or text me.
When it gets warmer, I'd like to have an outdoor gathering in her honor, probably in Duluth near my family. More on that later. Much later, I think.
Thank you all for caring about Annika,
Dawn
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rich varda uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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I found this written page in one of Annika‘s journals, and thought it would be great to share.
"There are many times in my life where I’ve felt I was really living and being the person I truly am, because being my true self has always been very important to me. As a child feeling free, I felt like I was truly living as who I am when I was sharing good times with my family and friends - doing things like camping or going to the beach. But, of course, being a child, I was limited on the things I could do. Being with others to help them smile has always been a big part of who I am.
Growing up and learning more about myself, I found I feel most at home within myself when I am playing music, either by myself or with friends. Creating anything, really, and also learning, makes me feel like I am living true to myself. When I designed clothes for a fashion show, and saw my clothes going down the runway, I knew I had found a huge part of myself."
From Rich Varda
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The family of Annika Esther Varda uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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The family of Annika Esther Varda uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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The family of Annika Esther Varda uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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The family of Annika Esther Varda uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 30, 2023
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