OLIVER H. KANKAALA

Oliver H. Kankaala, 91, of Belvidere, Ill., passed away at 9:56 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Maple Crest Care Centre, Belvidere.

Born July 4, 1920, in New York Mills the son of Otto and Sanna (Ranta) Kankaala.

Oliver was raised in Kettle River and attended Kalevala Grade School and Barnum High School. Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army as private first class from 1942 to 1946. Married N. Annabelle Hill on Aug. 23, 1946, in Cloquet. Moved from Minnesota to the Rockford, Ill., area in 1948. Employed by Sundstrand in Illinois for 30 years, retiring in 1983.

Member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Illinois for more than 50 years. Also, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. Oliver enjoyed volunteer work including mowing the church lawn and driving for the blind. He also loved to travel and helped many people.

Predeceased by wife; and son, Gerald O. Kankaala.

Survivors include daughter, Margaret A. (Donald) Rowland of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C; daughter-in-law, Janet Kankaala of Woodridge, Ill.; and sister, Helen Stone of Cromwell.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in Forest Hills Cemetery, Cromwell. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to charity of your choice. Local arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., Loves Park, Ill. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.

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