Theodore S. Keranen

Theodore Keranen, age 89, of Aura, passed away Thursday, April 26, 2001, at his home.

Ted was born May 31, 1911 in Herman, son of the late John and Hilma (Pekkala) Keranen. He grew up in Herman and attended Herman grade school, then L'Anse High School. Ted studied business at Ferris State. He went to aviation maintenance school in Minneapolis, and built and flew his own airplane at age 19. Ted has a patent on a helicopter design from 1948. He married the former Viana M. Saari in 1936. They resided in the Detriot-Livonia area from 1939-74. He worked for Chrysler Corporation in customer service management, retiring in 1974. Upon retirement they moved to Aura to reside on Viana's family farm. He attended the Aura Lutheran Church, was a supporter of the Aura Fire Hall and Community Hall, on the Baraga County Planning Commission, and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 547 F & AM, Francis Moore Consistory, Ahmed Temple, Keweenaw Bay Shrine Club, and the Trappers Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, mechanical and industrial hobbies, and had diverse do-it-yourself interests.

He is survived by his wife Viana of Bayside Village in L'Anse, his son Ted (Sharon) Keranen of White Lake, MI, sister Sadie Falk of Skanee, seven grandchildren Ted, Kathy, Karol, Tom, Todd, Tamara, and Laura, and 20 great grandchildren.

Ted is preceded in death by two brothers Elmer and Karl Keranen, and a sister Martha Dantes.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse. The visitation will be on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Jacobson Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Masons will conduct a service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. Rev. Margaret Grant will officiate. Burial will be in the Aura Cemetery.

The Jacobson Funeral Home of L'Anse is assisting the family.