John A. Kivi, 74, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Wakefield.
He was born on May 9, 1936, in Wakefield, son of the late John Axel and Lydia W. (Riipinen) Kivi. John graduated from Wakefield High School in 1955.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.
Following his honorable discharge, John was employed by Chicago and North Western Railroad, Connor Lumber and Land and retired from White Pine Copper Range.
On July 28, 1962, he was united in marriage with Virginia Ann "Ginger" Cvengros. She preceded him in death on May 18, 1990.
John attended All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, loved the outdoors, enjoyed spending time at his hunting camp with family and friends and his dog, Zeba, and following the Green Bay Packers.
He is survived by a son, John S., Wakefield; three daughters, Kathleen (Ron) Nyman, Appleton, Wis., Patricia (Tom) DuBois, Greeneville, Tenn., and Diane Kivi, Asheville, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Virginia and Marshall Nagy, Alexis DuBois, Cassandra and Meghan Nyman, and Alexander and Jada Kivi; two brothers, Ero and Evert, both of Wakefield; three sisters, Aili Paque and twins, Liala Vandenbush and Vi Maki, all of Green Bay, Wis.; his longtime companion, Gloria Holmes, Wakefield and her family; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by three brothers, Leo, Sulo and Wilho; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Kivi; and two brothers-in-law, Victor Paque and Robert Vandenbush.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, April 30, from 10 to 11 a.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.
A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall.
Burial in Lakeside Cemetery with a military graveside service under the auspices of the Wakefield American Legion Post 11 and the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be John's family and friends.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements where memories may be shared at lakesidememorialchapel.com.