Donald E. Kemppainen
August 1, 1917 — October 9, 2003
Donald Kemppainen, 86, of L'Anse, died on October 9, 2003 in Baraga County Memorial Hospital in L'Anse.
He was born in Pelkie, Michigan on August 1, 1917 to Andrew and Anna (Tervo) Kemppainen. Donald attended Pelkie and Alston schools.
He entered the US Army in 1942 and was discharged in 1946. He was assigned to the 319th Infantry Battalion, 80th Division. He saw action in the European Theater under General Patton, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart as a result of his injuries.
On September 20, 1943 he married the former Mary Sterbenz in L'Anse.
Donald worked as a log sawyer and for Armstrong Theilman Lumber Company in L'Anse.
Donald was a past commander of the John C. Sands VFW Post 3897 in L'Anse and a past president of Baraga County Eagles. He was a lifetime member of the Ottawa Sportsman's Club, DAV and VFW. He was also a Baraga Land Senior Citizens member.
Donald is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Kemppainen of L'Anse; children, Donna (Russ) Archambeau of Gladstone, Margie (Louie) Roy of L'Anse, Roy (Joanne) Kemppainen of L'Anse and Paul (Chuckie) Kemppainen of Watersmeet; brothers, Harold (Merla) Kemppainen, Ralph (Kay) Kemppainen and Hugo (Eva) Kemppainen; sisters, Clara (Paul) Nevala and Dorothy (Oliver) Pelto; ten grandchildren, Bryan, Tom, Don, Mike (Jen) and Jeannie Archambeau, Amy Roy, Jeanette (Sean) Wirtz, Scott and Brittany Kemppainen and Dale (Liz) Kemppainen; seven great-grandchildren, Tyler and Taryn Wirtz, Brigitte, Cody, Breanna, Sabrina and Dayle Paulina Kemppainen; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna Kemppainen; brothers, Uno and Waino Kemppainen and sister, Martha Jurmu.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 13, 2003 at 11 a.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. Visitation will take place on Sunday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home. A prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Interment will take place in the L'Anse Evergreen Cemetery.
Donald's obituary may be viewed and sign guestbook at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.