Edwin Eugene "Ed" Kamarainen

Edwin Eugene "Ed" KAMARAINEN WWII Army Air Force POW Veteran T/SGT. Edwin Eugene Kamarainen 'Ed' was born Sept. 16th, 1918 in the township of Oulu, Wisconsin to Peter and Lempi. He passed away Feb. 10th, 2011 at home, under hospice care surrounded by friends and family. He's survived by his wife Eva Rantala-Kamarainen, son Dennis; children Brooke, Brandy and Alyssa, son Gerald, son Bruce (Deborah); children Brandon (Heather), Joel, Kelley, Abby (Justin), Shellby (Keith), son Duane (Roxie); children Jaime (Dan), Corey (Clarissa), Devin (Nicci), Mel, Regina, and daughter Joan (Randy); Josiah, Leah and Justin. Ed was blessed to have 16 grandchildren and16 great-grandchildren (with another due in April). Ed was preceded in death by his brother Elmer and both of his parents. He had a career with the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroad as a Telegrapher, Wire Chief, and Train Dispatcher. He often said that the best years of his life were after his retirement in 1978. Ed and Eva became 'snowbirds' and traveled to Yuma, AZ to Quail Hill every winter for about 20 years. He enjoyed cookouts, margarita parties, rock hounding/cutting, golfing, camping, gold panning, hunting, ocean fishing and river fishing. He was a life member of the 491st Bomb Group Association - Second Air Division Association where he and his wife enjoyed travelling to the group reunions across the U.S., life member of the AmericanEx-Prisoners of War - Seattle Chapter and a life member of the Skyway Post 9430 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He wrote a book about his POW experience where he survived more than 80 days and 600 miles of walking across Germany. A viewing will be held at Greenwood Funeral Home, 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA on Tue., Feb. 15th, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00p.m. A memorial service is to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Skyway VFW Post. The family will provide details of a burial at Tahoma National Cemetery in the near future. The family will provide details at a later date. He was loved by many and his smile will be missed by all.