Walter Kyllonen

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 P.M. on Monday, March 25, 2013 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to the service on Monday.INTERMENT : Alajoki Cemetery, Menahga, MinnesotaSURVIVORS : His wife, Sylvia of Menahga; his five children: Geraldine Kyllonen-Eisele of Menahga, Judy Cox of Hemet, CA, Brian Kyllonen of Lowell, MI, Vicki (Michael) Bowen of Monrovia, CA and Rodney Kyllonen of Menahga; 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. WALTER WILFRED "Wally" KYLLONENJune 3, 1929 " March 18, 2013 Walter Wilfred "Wally" Kyllonen, age 83 of Menahga, MN, peacefully passed from this life to eternal life in the comfort and love of his own home, surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Monday, March 18, 2013 following a valiant battle against acute myoloma leukemia. Wally, the son of Bill and Viola (Flower) Tapio was born on June 3, 1929 at his parent"s farm near the Mary Brown Bridge southwest of Menahga. He attended country school near his home. As a young man, Wally worked as a lumberjack in the timber near the Menahga and Huntersville areas. On December 22, 1947, Wally entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in April of 1949. On March 17, 1948 he was united in marriage to the prettiest gal in Wadena County, Sylvia E. Grangruth. This union was blessed with five children: Geraldine, Judith, Brian, Vicki and Rodney. Wally moved with his family to the iron range of Northern MN where they settled near Hibbing and he worked in the mines for a time. In 1952, the Kyllonen family ventured to Los Angeles, California where Wally worked for his brother-in-law, Ed, learning the sandblasting trade. He started his own sandblasting contracting business in California, known as Inglewood Sandblasting Company, in 1957. Wally operated the company with the help of his sons until his retirement in 1982. For the next several years, Wally and Sylvia shuffled between California and Minnesota buying and rehabing homes which they would sell. They permanently settled back to their Minnesota roots of Menahga in the late 1990"s. For many years, Wally enjoyed bowling with his wife on numerous bowling leagues. Later in life, he took up downhill skiing and enjoyed spending time at his cabins in the high Sierra Mountains of Central CA where he also enjoyed trout fishing. Over the years, Wally enjoyed traveling with his family and camping throughout the West Coast and the many trips he took back to Minnesota to visit with his family and friends. Above all, Wally will be remembered as a man who devoted his life to his wife, children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. He will be sorely missed. Wally will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife for these past 65 years, Sylvia of Menahga; his five children: Geraldine Kyllonen-Eisele of Menahga, Judy Cox of Hemet, CA, Brian Kyllonen of Lowell, MI, Vicki (Michael) Bowen of Monrovia, CA and Rodney Kyllonen of Menahga; 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Dorothy and five brothers: Carl, Onnie, Eino, Henry and Eddie. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Monday, March 25, 2013 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga with the Reverend Steven Bruer officiating. The casket bearers will be his sons: Brian and Rodney Kyllonen, grandsons: Mark Eisele and Ian Kyllonen and nephews: Douglas Kyllonen and John Tapio. Military honors will be conducted by the Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post under the direction of Mr. Willie Davis. Interment will be made in the Alajoki Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Sunday, March 24th at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Following the service, a light lunch and time of fellowship will be held at the Menahga Sr. Citizens Center.