Edwin Kylmanen

Edwin Samuel Kylmanen was born and grew up near Napoleon. He was the youngest child of Samuel and Amanda (Koski) Kylmanen. As a youngster, he helped out alongside his siblings on the family homestead. At the age of 18, Edwin joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infhantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a part of the U.S. Occupation of Japan after the end of WWII.

After his service he attended The Industrial Training Institute of Chicago, before returning home. He soon secured employment at a regional utility company and while traveling on a job assignment he met his future wife, Bonita Dunn, of Carrington. The two would soon marry and move to Fargo. In 1957, Edwin answered a help wanted ad by the Boeing Co. of Seattle. Soon the pair moved out to the west. Edwin worked at Boeing for 31 years, mainly on the assembly line of the 727 aircraft. He and Bonita kept a home in the area and together raised their only child, Thomas.

Edwin retired in 1988, and soon with wife in tow, moved to the Phoenix area for some sunshine. The pair enjoyed retirement by making new friends and traveling to visit family and explore new places. Sadly, Edwin lost Bonita in 1999 after her difficult fight with cancer. In the years that followed, Edwin kept busy by traveling, attending church and spending time with friends and family. He also liked to watch baseball games and go out to breakfast with his buddies. He maintained his home until last year when he moved to Owasso, Okla., to be near his son.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; sisters, Elma Watts, Marion Pennick, Ellen Janko, Esther Kylmanen, and Vienna Janko; and brothers, Raymond Kylmanen and Wesley Kylmanen.

He is survived by his son, Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Joanna Kylmanen, Owasso, and his grandchild, Conner Kylmanen, Owasso. He also leaves behind many much loved nieces, nephews and special friends.