Leonard W. Korpi

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Leonard W. Korpi, 85, of Ironwood, died unexpectedly Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, at home.

He was born May 27, 1930, in Bessemer Township, son of the late Oscar and Anna (Mattson) Korpi, and graduated from A. D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1948. He then served four years stateside in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Following his honorable discharge, Len attended Moorhead State College in Moorhead, Minn., and was employed as district representative for the Duluth News-Tribune in Ironwood for many years. He then served as juvenile officer for Gogebic County for 21 years, retiring in 1990.

Len enjoyed woodworking, collecting antiques and refinishing furniture, and was a big Green Bay Packers fan. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

On Sept. 19, 1953, he was married to Bernice E. Knief at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hurley. She preceded him in death on Sept. 7, 2002.

Surviving are two daughters, Darlene (Tom) Dahl, Houghton, and Brenda Korpi, Orlando, Fla .; two sons, Kevin, East Lansing, and Christopher (Marnie), Rye Brook, N.Y .; six grandchildren, McKenzie, Clay, Brynn, Gavin, Tatum and Kate Korpi; two stepgrandsons, Brent (Lisa) Dahl and Nathan (Jessica) Dahl; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Brady, Alex and Logan Dahl; a sister, Elsie Honkala, Cherryville, Pa .; brothers-in-law, Elmer and Ronald Knief, both of Ironwood; dear friend, Lidy Rimkus, Ironwood; and his sidekick Jack Russell Terrier, Lilly.

Besides his parents and wife, Len was predeceased by brothers, Tom, Edward and Oscar; a sister, Rachel Sollman; and sister-in-law, Delphine Gustafson.

Per Leonard’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Private family services will be held with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.