1924
John
2007
John Niemi
February 11, 1924 — December 10, 2007
John Niemi, 83, rural Callaway, MN died Monday, December 10 at his home under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. The Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, December 15 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Callaway, MN with Reverend Del Stohs officiating. Interment is 11:00 AM Monday, December 17 in the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, December 14 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
John William Niemi was born February 11, 1924 in Shell Lake Township, rural Osage, MN, to Jacob and Esther (Barlund) Niemi. He attended the District 82 (Linman School) country school; then Detroit Lakes High School. John moved to Fargo, ND and studied at the Hansen Auto-Diesel/Welding and Auto Body Repair trade school. He graduated from the Federal Aircraft School in Fargo and became employed by Hayes Manufacturing Corp. of Grand Rapids, MI, building Navy planes. John entered the United States Army during World War II, serving in England. He was at Omaha Beach in France and the Battle of the Buldge. He was wounded in Germany and received the Purple Heart, five Battle Stars and one Silver Star honoring his service. John returned home after his discharge from the service, and was united in marriage with Blanche Rousu June 15, 1946 in Henning, MN. They lived in Ponsford, MN where John owned and operated a service station. The station was sold in 1947 and they moved to Chisholm and then Cherry, MN (1947-1954) where he drove truck on the Iron Range. In 1954 they moved to Menagha, MN where they farmed and John drove school bus. They moved to Seattle 1966-1970, returning to Callaway where John drove truck for Clem Foltz and Kost Brothers. John and Blanch shared 61 years of marriage.
John was Wadena County Farmers Union President and had served for 19 years as the Becker County Farmers Union President. He enjoyed working in his wood-working shop, playing the accordion, fishing, hunting and telling jokes.
John is survived by his wife, Blanche Niemi of Callaway; daughter, Ailene (Gary) Rosentreter of Lake Park, MN; sons, Donavon Niemi of Yelm, WA, Kenneth (Donna) Niemi of Callaway; sisters, Olga (Bob) Powell of Woodinville, WA, Elma (Vester) Neighbors of Bainbridge Island, WA, Elsie (Don) Torkelson of Juntura, OR, Aino Dougherty of Fort Worth, TX; brother, Heino (Jack) (Frieda) Niemi of Oregon City, OR; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Arnold (Arnie) Niemi; his parents; two sisters, Lempi and Eilene.
Visitation will be 4-8 PM Friday, December 14 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
John William Niemi was born February 11, 1924 in Shell Lake Township, rural Osage, MN, to Jacob and Esther (Barlund) Niemi. He attended the District 82 (Linman School) country school; then Detroit Lakes High School. John moved to Fargo, ND and studied at the Hansen Auto-Diesel/Welding and Auto Body Repair trade school. He graduated from the Federal Aircraft School in Fargo and became employed by Hayes Manufacturing Corp. of Grand Rapids, MI, building Navy planes. John entered the United States Army during World War II, serving in England. He was at Omaha Beach in France and the Battle of the Buldge. He was wounded in Germany and received the Purple Heart, five Battle Stars and one Silver Star honoring his service. John returned home after his discharge from the service, and was united in marriage with Blanche Rousu June 15, 1946 in Henning, MN. They lived in Ponsford, MN where John owned and operated a service station. The station was sold in 1947 and they moved to Chisholm and then Cherry, MN (1947-1954) where he drove truck on the Iron Range. In 1954 they moved to Menagha, MN where they farmed and John drove school bus. They moved to Seattle 1966-1970, returning to Callaway where John drove truck for Clem Foltz and Kost Brothers. John and Blanch shared 61 years of marriage.
John was Wadena County Farmers Union President and had served for 19 years as the Becker County Farmers Union President. He enjoyed working in his wood-working shop, playing the accordion, fishing, hunting and telling jokes.
John is survived by his wife, Blanche Niemi of Callaway; daughter, Ailene (Gary) Rosentreter of Lake Park, MN; sons, Donavon Niemi of Yelm, WA, Kenneth (Donna) Niemi of Callaway; sisters, Olga (Bob) Powell of Woodinville, WA, Elma (Vester) Neighbors of Bainbridge Island, WA, Elsie (Don) Torkelson of Juntura, OR, Aino Dougherty of Fort Worth, TX; brother, Heino (Jack) (Frieda) Niemi of Oregon City, OR; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Arnold (Arnie) Niemi; his parents; two sisters, Lempi and Eilene.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Niemi, please visit our flower store.