Donald 'Donnie' William Melvin Keinanen

Donald (Donnie)William Melvin Keinanen, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 20, 2012. He was born Feb. 20, 1943, to William and Aili (Oja) Keinanen in Hancock, Mich., and in his early childhood the family moved to Moose Lake, Minn., where he was raised on the family farm.

Donald married Patricia Ann (Gregory) Keinanen on March 5, 1966, in St Paul, Minn., and moved to the Moose Lake area in 1971, where they spent their remaining years together. He retired as a heavy equipment operator from the Local 49 Union in 2005. Upon his retirement, Donald spent his days enjoying the company of his family and friends, fishing, hunting and working on various projects.

Donald was preceded in death by his loving wife of 43 years, Patricia; and his parents, William and Aili.

He is survived by his children, William Keinanen of Moose Lake, Kristen (Brigham) Fanning of Barnum, Minn., and Bobbi-Jo (Robert) Marlowe of Moose Lake; brother, Ken Keinanen (Bev Johnson); sisters, Helen (Roger) Nelson, Betty (David) Lyons, Karen (Tom) Dotseth and Sue (Robert) LaBelle; grandchildren, Ashlee, Bryan, Brandon, Cameron, Lauren, Kalan, Nichole, Carrine, Stephanie, Jordan, Alexia, Adrionna, Robert Jr. and Jenna; and great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Jayden and Veronica.

Donald had a great sense of humor. He was light hearted, caring, giving and always there when you needed him. He was a wonderful father, friend, brother and grandpa. He will be greatly missed by so many.

Per his request, a memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 16, from 1-5 p.m. at the Kettle River Senior Center.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, 218-485-4429.

June 7, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

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