Kenneth Koivunen

Kenneth O. Koivunen

Kenneth O. Koivunen, 81, of Zim, died Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Fairview University Medical Center-Mesabi in Hibbing after an extended illness with Alzheimers.

He was born in Virginia on January 11, 1931, to Henrik and Anna(Kyllonen) Koivunen.  He graduated from Cherry High School in 1949.  He retired in 1993 after working as a counselor for the Arrowhead Center in Virginia.  He also worked for the DM & IR Railroad, and the City of Hibbing, and various construction companies.

He loved spending time with his wife, children,  and grandchildren.  He enjoyed woodworking in his shop, working in the woods, reading, dancing, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his son Paul, one infant son, and his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Esther; son, Karl (Pat Rocchio), Hibbing; grandchildren, Nickolai , Zim, MN and Lynda, Hibbing; cousins- Candace (Robert) Maki, Cherry, MN, Arlene Gustafson, Hibbing, Darrell(Phyllis) Koivunen, Cherry; brothers-in-law-Ralph(Lorraine)Aho, Virginia, Edwin(Mildred) Luukkonen, Zim, Raymond(Nancy) Luukkonen, Cherry; sisters-in-law-Sr. Ingrid Luukkonen,  Duluth, Carol Luukkonen, Cherry, Lillian Luukkonen, Cherry, and Dorothy Luukkonen, Iron,
Impi Luukkonen, Britt; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends of Bill Wilson, and care-givers Corrine Goerdt, Shelly Goerdt, and Julie Goerdt.

Funeral: Funeral services will be at the Faith United Lutheran Church, 8964 HWY 37, Iron, MN, on Monday, April 23, 2012, at 2PM.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in church.  Interment will be in Zim Cemetery at a later date.  Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  To sign the guestbook online, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com

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