Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
DULUTH, Minn. - Gerald Raymond Koponen, 84, passed away Dec. 23, 2018, in Duluth.
He was born Dec. 8, 1934, in Ironwood, Mich., to Leonard and Lila (Oja) Koponen. After graduating from Luther L. Wright High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He returned to Ironwood, moving in the early 1960s to Embarrass, Minn., to work for Erie Mining as a heavy equipment operator, retiring from LTV Steel after 38 years.
He loved fishing, hunting, bowling, watching boxing and Viking football. He was kind, generous to his friends and family, loved animals, had a sense of humor and was fun to be with.
He is survived by children Debbie (Duane) Johnson, Dan (Robin) Koponen, Darlene (Bruce) Petron, Darrell (Angel) Koponen and Dennis (Judy) Koponen; brother, Brian (Mickie) Koponen; sister, Kathleen (Paul) Grbavcich; 14 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; his former wife, Jeanne (Rosga) Koponen; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald, Robert and Leonard James (as an infant); and great-great-granddaughter, Kennedi Mae.
Funeral services with military honors were held in Aurora.
