Allen Kinnunen

Allen Raymond Kinnunen, age 89, a long time Huntersville, MN area resident, passed peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the Frazee Care Center. Allen was born on February 18, 1926 in Sebeka, MN to Henry and Hilda (Seikkula) Kinnunen. He grew up on his parent's farm east of Menahga and attended country school nearby. At the age of 21, Allen entered the United States Army where he completed his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. At Ft. Knox, Allen acquired his love for country western music and listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night. Following basic, Allen shipped out to Korea where he faithfully served his country as a member of the 155th Artillery Battalion of the 24th Infantry Division where he repaired military trucks and other equipment. He was part of the first wave of soldiers sent to the front lines of battle. Following his tour of duty, Allen received his honorable discharge and returned to Minnesota. He made his home in the Huntersville area for over 50 years. Allen was a skilled mechanic and gained employment working for Elmer Bohjanen in Menahga for a number of years. Later, he ventured to the Ford Garage in Park Rapids where he invested his mechanical skills and knowhow for a period of time. He also worked out of his own garage in Huntersville repairing automobiles for area folks. In addition to wrenching, Allen also worked at sawmills in the Huntersville area. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed trapping mink and beaver, harvesting wild rice and seining minnows. In addition, Allen served on the Huntersville Township Board for a number of years. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law, Bonnie Kinnunen and numerous nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Ervin, Jerry, Jimmy and Ronnie and one sister, Lillian. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga with Rev. Loren Ferch officiating. His casketbearers will be his nephews. Interment will be made in the Jim Cook Cemetery east of Menahga. The Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post in Menahga will provide the military honors. Visitation will begin at 1 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Following the funeral service the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post Auxilliary will provide a luncheon for all. To leave on line condolences please visit www.cardinipearson.com