Ethel Irene Kivinen

Ethel Irene Kivinen (Burlingame), age 97, of Park Rapids MN (formerly of Osage) passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 2, 2015 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN, with her nephew Ron Mattson by her side. Ethel was born to Ira and Amy (Lemon) Burlingame August 11, 1918 in Carsonville Township, Ponsford, MN. She attended the Linnell School as a child and went on to graduate from Park Rapids High School and the Teacher’s Training Department. Ethel taught school in the Snellman area for several years. It was during this time Ethel met Arthur A. Kivinen of Osage and they were united in marriage on June 24, 1943. This union was blessed with a son, Robert Arthur, who was born January 12, 1950. The family lived and worked on the Kivinen family farm near Snellman until their retirement in 1972. Art and Ethel moved to Osage where Ethel remained until moving to Park Rapids in July 2009 where she resided at the Heritage Living Center until her death. She was a long time member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman. Ethel is survived by many nieces and nephews: Clyde (Marilyn) Burlingame, Karen Gerhardt, Mark (Barb) Burlingame, Marsha (Greg) Oliver, Donald Olson, Raymond (Diane) Olson, Sandra (Joe) Nelmark, Ronald (Lorretta) Mattson, Russell (Judy) Mattson, Chuck Becker, Clifford (Linda) Kivinen; and God-daughter, Tracie (Mattson) Koskela.Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Amy; her husband of fifty five years, Arthur, her son Robert, who she lost in February 1972 due to injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident; two brothers: Royce (Esther) Burlingame and Ivan (Betty) Burlingame; two sisters: Helen (Olaf) Olson and Gladys (Richard) Mattson; one nephew, Jimmy Olson and two nieces: Patricia (Mattson) Becker and Janice Olson. Funeral service will be held 11 AM Friday, December 11, 2015 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman officiated by Pastor Scott Muehlberg. The casket bearers will be Ronald Mattson, Russell Mattson, Donald Olson, Raymond Olson, Mark Burlingame and Clyde Burlingame. Visitation will be held 5 PM – 8 PM Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be made at Snellman Cemetery. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com.