Arvo H. Koponen

Arvo H. Koponen, 95, of Duluth, formerly of the Cotton, Minn., area died Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was born July 13, 1910 in Kotka, Finland to Paavo and Ida Koponen. Arvo's parents settled in Shaw, Minn., in 1913. Arvo lived in the Cotton area for 55 years before moving to Duluth about 10 years ago. He married Lillian Palo Dec. 31, 1927 in Duluth. She passed away in 1983. Arvo then married Sara Ciurleo in 1989, she died in 1996. He was president of Globe Electric in St. Louis Park from 1962 until 1969 and was a 67 year member of the I.B.E.W. Arvo was a volunteer driver for St. Louis Social Services and served on the Advisory Board in the subcommittee of Services to the Elderly. He was a member of the Cotton Area Senior Citizens Club and was also Past President. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years and mother of his children, Lillian; second wife, Sara; grandchildren, Julie and Tom Koponen and Steve Carlson; and brothers, Gunnard and Walter. Arvo is survived by his son, Irving (Lorraine) Koponen of Minneapolis; daughters, Adeline Korpi of Cotton and Eileen (Donald) Kurth of Mission, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2005 in the Cotton Community Center, 9087 Hiway 53 North in Cotton. Services entrusted to the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 624-5200.