Kenneth Isaac Wuorinen

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Kenneth Isaac Wuorinen, 85, of Bloomington, passed away at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.

Kenneth was born on Sept. 14, 1937, in Wakefield, Michigan, a son of Matt Walfred and Saima Salina (Johnson) Wuorinen. He attended Wakefield schools and graduated in 1956. Kenneth was active on the Wakefield track team.

On Aug. 4, 1956, he was married to Beverly Ann Hill in Wakefield, by the Rev. Gust A. Wuorinen. Kenneth and Beverly resided on Fire Tower Road (now Indianhead Road) in Wakefield. They had two children, Sandra, in 1957, and Douglas, in 1961.

Kenneth worked at the Glove Factory in Ironwood, Michigan, for several years and then worked for the Bessemer Creamery as a delivery driver to area grocery stores in Gogebic and Iron counties.

In the spring of 1962, Kenneth and Beverly purchased Mae's Flower Shop on South Moore Street in Bessemer, Michigan. He assisted his wife at Bev's Flower Shop taking care of deliveries and design of specialty floral arrangements until going to work for White Pine Copper Company. He first worked underground and eventually moved up into warehouse accounting. He remained active helping at the flower shop as time permitted.

In August 1973, Kenneth and his family moved to Bloomington, after selling Bev's Flower Shop.

In Bloomington, Kenneth worked for Century Manufacturing until he moved over to John Deere in February 1974. His first assignment at John Deere was in their parts distribution warehouse. He was then able to move into the office area as an inventory control analyst. In his free time, Kenneth helped Beverly with wedding orders. He helped with the preparation of the flowers and greens, doing finishing work on bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. Kenneth also did deliveries, and church and reception set-ups. He became the expert bow maker for pews, aisle candelabras, reception tables and all decorations needed. Kenny could make the most perfect bows. They all matched.

He retired from John Deere after 25 years of service in 1999.

After retiring, Kenneth and Beverly took some time to travel and enjoy retirement going on multiple bus tours in the United States and Canada. They finally took the time to smell the roses instead of turning them into floral arrangements. Kenneth could talk to anyone and loved to chat and get to know people.

He enjoyed outdoor activities in the yard and garden. Kenneth was good at carpentry, woodworking and mechanical projects. He was an excellent handyman. He also took up the hobby of family history and made very detailed books on the Johnson and Wuorinen branches of the family. He even made a book for the Reed side of Beverly's family. Sad to say, he did not have enough time in this world to complete the Hill branch for Beverly.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Leslie and Matt; a son, Douglas; and his half sister, Viola Winkka.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 66 years, Beverly, Bloomington; a daughter, Sandra (Michael) Drager, a grandson, Michael (Katrina) Drager and a great-grandson, Ayden Drager, all of Farmington; three sisters, Irene Hewitt, Hurley, Wisconsin, Eleanor Turula, Hudson, Wisconsin, and Linda Anderson, Wakefield; a brother, Jerry (Ann) Wakefield; his sister-in-law, Jean Wuorinen, Ironwood; a special cousin, Tuula Granlund, Tampere, Finland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the years.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Sharon Lutheran Church, 100 E. Sellar St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Lauri Maki officiating.

A committal service and interment will take place at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.