Earl Heikka

Earl Heikka (May 3, 1910 – May 18, 1941) was an American sculptor. He designed figurines and statues of the Old West, miners, and horses. He committed suicide at age 31.

Early life Heikka was born on May 3, 1910, in Belt, Montana. Both his parents were immigrants from Finland. His father, who served as an alderman in Belt, like many Montana businessmen, collected his work. He also did figurines of miners, and nativity scenes. Heikka often did sketches or oil or watercolor paintings before designing his statues, They had four children, and they resided in Great Falls.

Heikka took up drinking shortly after his brother Mike's death. A few days later, on May 18, 1941, Heikka drove up to their house and committed suicide by shooting himself in the heart inside his car. The Earl E. Heikka Museum at 2222 Central Avenue West, Great Falls, opened in 1995.