1929
Reino
2011
Reino O. Kinnunen
February 21, 1929 — April 16, 2011
Munising
Reino O. Kinnunen, age 82, of 518 Prospect Street, Munising died on Saturday morning, April 16, 2011 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born in Munising on February 21, 1929 to the late Oscar and Lempi (Paasto) Kinnunen. Reino graduated from William G. Mather in 1947. He entered into the U.S. Army in 1950, Reino was in the 41st Armored Infantry Battalion, and a member of the 2nd Armored "Hell on Wheels" Division specializing in demolition. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Ski Flying Team; he was in the top of many ski jumping events and took first place in Berchatesgarden, Germany. He was awarded the Most Physically Fit in his division. While in Germany Reino was assigned as a personal guard for General Eisenhower. He married Nancy Posio on July 27, 1957. A daughter Carol was born to them in 1958 and together they lovingly raised her. Reino began his employment with Kimberly-Clark in 1952. During his early years he had an accident at the mill. Reino then pursued an accounting degree, and continued employment at Kimberly-Clark as an accountant. Later he returned to the beater room until he retired in 1989. Reino was a hard worker, he enjoyed hunting for and cutting firewood, picking blueberries from his secret spots, gardening, hunting deer, fishing brook trout, playing his guitar, and enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Reino is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-four years - Nancy of Munising; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Jim St. Amour; two grandchildren- Jamie (Barry) Johnson of Munising and Mike (Laura) St. Amour of Munising; five great-grandchildren - Matthew, Alex, Trevor, Valerie, and Natalia; siblings Ann Birkoltz, Bertha Hill, Nancy (Al) Lindell, and Jerry (Roberta) Kinnunen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - Oscar and Lempi; siblings - Helen (Ed) Tousek, Ina "Ginger" (Walter)Tonge, Lillian (Harry) Hampel, William (Irene) Kinnunen, Eino Kinnunen (Battle of the Bulge), and Raymond Kinnunen (Korean War); and close friend Bill Giles.
Services will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will begin Reino's service at 7:00 p.m. Following the military honors, Pastor Elisabeth Zant will conduct his funeral service.
Reino O. Kinnunen, age 82, of 518 Prospect Street, Munising died on Saturday morning, April 16, 2011 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born in Munising on February 21, 1929 to the late Oscar and Lempi (Paasto) Kinnunen. Reino graduated from William G. Mather in 1947. He entered into the U.S. Army in 1950, Reino was in the 41st Armored Infantry Battalion, and a member of the 2nd Armored "Hell on Wheels" Division specializing in demolition. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Ski Flying Team; he was in the top of many ski jumping events and took first place in Berchatesgarden, Germany. He was awarded the Most Physically Fit in his division. While in Germany Reino was assigned as a personal guard for General Eisenhower. He married Nancy Posio on July 27, 1957. A daughter Carol was born to them in 1958 and together they lovingly raised her. Reino began his employment with Kimberly-Clark in 1952. During his early years he had an accident at the mill. Reino then pursued an accounting degree, and continued employment at Kimberly-Clark as an accountant. Later he returned to the beater room until he retired in 1989. Reino was a hard worker, he enjoyed hunting for and cutting firewood, picking blueberries from his secret spots, gardening, hunting deer, fishing brook trout, playing his guitar, and enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Reino is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-four years - Nancy of Munising; daughter and son-in-law Carol and Jim St. Amour; two grandchildren- Jamie (Barry) Johnson of Munising and Mike (Laura) St. Amour of Munising; five great-grandchildren - Matthew, Alex, Trevor, Valerie, and Natalia; siblings Ann Birkoltz, Bertha Hill, Nancy (Al) Lindell, and Jerry (Roberta) Kinnunen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents - Oscar and Lempi; siblings - Helen (Ed) Tousek, Ina "Ginger" (Walter)Tonge, Lillian (Harry) Hampel, William (Irene) Kinnunen, Eino Kinnunen (Battle of the Bulge), and Raymond Kinnunen (Korean War); and close friend Bill Giles.
Services will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will begin Reino's service at 7:00 p.m. Following the military honors, Pastor Elisabeth Zant will conduct his funeral service.
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