Donald
Niemela, 87
Monticello
- Donald V. Niemela, 87, died Sunday, April 1,
2001 at Monticello.
Funeral
services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April
4, at Peterson Grimsmo Chapel in Monticello with
Rev. Bruce Miller officiating. Vocalist Wendy Bluhm
was accompanied by Sharon Werner. Casketbearers
were Marvin Saari, Terrence Yager, Michael
Bialoszynski, Douglas Hanks, Douglas Niemela, Keith
Anderson and Ross Anderson.
Graveside
services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 5,
at Finnish Cemetery in Middle River.
Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Service of Monticello was
in charge of the arrangements.
Donald
V. Niemela was born on September 30, 1913 in Cedar
township of Marshall county near Middle River, the
son of Herman and Maria (Wainionpaa) Niemela. He
was baptized and confirmed at Finnish Lutheran
Church in Middle River and attended the former
Breese School near his home.
On
October 12, 1936, Donald was united in marriage to
Aune Kortesmaki. He worked as a buttermaker in
creameries in Middle River and Hazel and was then
employed by Land O'Lakes at Mora and Olivia. He was
later transferred to Roseau where he served as
plant foreman. In 1953, Donald was promoted to
plant manager at Sebeka. After a brief stay, the
family moved to Monticello where he managed the
Monticello milk plant until 1962. Donald then
managed the dry milk plant at Fosston until his
retirement in 1978 after 46 years in the dairy
business. In 1989, he and Aune returned to
Monticello where he enjoyed a view of the
Mississippi River from a Riverview townhouse,
Mississippi Shores and Monticello-Big Lake Nursing
Home. Aune preceded Donald in death.
Survivors
include two daughters, Audrey (Keith) Anderson of
Okemos, Mich. and Barbara Yager of Monticello; a
son, Robert (Martha) of White Bear Lake; nine
grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great
great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Aune (Stilaf)
Anderson of Northwood Iowa and Mildred (Orville)
Ness of Thief River Falls.
Donald
was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a son,
Donald; a son-in-law, George Yager; five brothers,
Ted, Alvar, Leonard, Wayne and George; and five
sisters, Saima, Siiri, Suama, Signe and Sally.
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