He was born in Kiuruvesi, and obtained the degree of Philosophiae Magister in 1910. He was working as a teacher of a theological discipline and of drawing at Lapua's school of social sciences during 1909–1919. From 1913 to 1918 he was also a leader of this school. He worked as a parish priest in Kuusankoski in 1919–1923, and from 1923 to 1928, and then was a parish priest in Ylistaro during the period of 1928–1958. From 1939 to 1958 he worked in Provincial Council of Lapua.[1]
He participated in Presidential elections in Finland in 1937, 1940, 1943. From 2 September 1935 to 31 August 1939 he was a member of the Finnish Parliament from Patriotic People's Movement (IKL) in Vaasa.
Malmivaara ornamented the inner sanctuary of church in Valkeala Jesus in Gethsemane.[1]
Personal life
He was the son of Wilhelmi Malmivaara, a member of Parliament, and Karin Rajander.[2] He was married to Ruusa Emilia Sarparanta during 1909-1936 and later from 1937 to Agnes Charlotta Isaksson.[1] He died in Seinäjoki.