Pastor William "Bill" Russell Keranen, age 69, of Cokato, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at his home.
He was born July 16, 1937 in Copper City, Mich. to Oscar and Aili (Heikkinen) Keranen. Bill grew up in Copper City, attending grade school there and graduating from Calumet High School with the class of 1955.
He moved to Minneapolis to attend Dunwoody Institute in the tool and die program.
Bill was married to Myrt Wuollet April 28, 1962 in Cokato at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church by the Rev Peter Nordstrom.
Bill went to work at Honeywell, and the couple lived in Minneapolis. In 1967, they moved to Austin, Minn., and Bill taught at the technical school there.
Bill and Myrt moved to Cokato in 1969, to the farm. During this time, Bill also taught at St. Cloud Technical School. He was employed at National Connector in St. Cloud, and while employed there, he attended St. Cloud State University, earning a teaching degree.,
In the late 1970s, Bill became the minister at First Apostolic Lutheran Church, from which he recently retired.
Bill enjoyed the camp in Michigan, fishing, deer hunting, golfing, and four-wheeling.
He is survived by his wife, Myrt; and siblings, Raymond, John (Priscilla), Roy (Marilyn), all of Trap Rock Valley, Mich., Shirley Lassila, George (Kathy), all of Laurium, Mich., Paul (Ginna) of Dassel, Michael (Sandra) of Clatskanie, Ore., and Mary Keranen of Mohawk, Mich.
William was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oscar and Arthur; sister Helmi Hyrkas; and infant brothers, Peter, Donald, Rueben, and David.
Funeral service was Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato, with pastors Mark Koivisto and Eric Torola officiating. Music was provided by Anita Harmala. Interment was in the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
Visitation was Sunday, Feb. 18 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the church, and continued Monday for one hour prior to the service.
Casket bearers were Craig Halonen, Randy Keranen, Jonathan Keranen, Scott Niemala, Peter Keranen, and Mark Wuollet.
Arrangements were by the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato.
Pastor William "Bill" Russell Keranen, age 69, of Cokato, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at his home.
He was born July 16, 1937 in Copper City, Mich. to Oscar and Aili (Heikkinen) Keranen. Bill grew up in Copper City, attending grade school there and graduating from Calumet High School with the class of 1955.
He moved to Minneapolis to attend Dunwoody Institute in the tool and die program.
Bill was married to Myrt Wuollet April 28, 1962 in Cokato at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church by the Rev Peter Nordstrom.
Bill went to work at Honeywell, and the couple lived in Minneapolis. In 1967, they moved to Austin, Minn., and Bill taught at the technical school there.
Bill and Myrt moved to Cokato in 1969, to the farm. During this time, Bill also taught at St. Cloud Technical School. He was employed at National Connector in St. Cloud, and while employed there, he attended St. Cloud State University, earning a teaching degree.,
In the late 1970s, Bill became the minister at First Apostolic Lutheran Church, from which he recently retired.
Bill enjoyed the camp in Michigan, fishing, deer hunting, golfing, and four-wheeling.
He is survived by his wife, Myrt; and siblings, Raymond, John (Priscilla), Roy (Marilyn), all of Trap Rock Valley, Mich., Shirley Lassila, George (Kathy), all of Laurium, Mich., Paul (Ginna) of Dassel, Michael (Sandra) of Clatskanie, Ore., and Mary Keranen of Mohawk, Mich.
William was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oscar and Arthur; sister Helmi Hyrkas; and infant brothers, Peter, Donald, Rueben, and David.
Funeral service was Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato, with pastors Mark Koivisto and Eric Torola officiating. Music was provided by Anita Harmala. Interment was in the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
Visitation was Sunday, Feb. 18 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the church, and continued Monday for one hour prior to the service.
Casket bearers were Craig Halonen, Randy Keranen, Jonathan Keranen, Scott Niemala, Peter Keranen, and Mark Wuollet.
Arrangements were by the Swanson Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato.
Family Members
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Oscar Marvin Keranen
1928–2005
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Arthur Albert Keranen
1929–1997
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Raymond Gabriel Keranen
1930–2015
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Helmi Beatrice Keranen Hyrkas
1932–2006
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John Ivar Keranen
1933–2015
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Shirley Ann Keranen Lassila
1935–2023
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Peter Richard Keranen
1938–1939
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Donald Keranen
1943–1943
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Reuben Keranen
1944–1944
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Mary Gale Keranen
1947–2011
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David Keranen
1949–1949
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