Ernest R. Koskiniemi

Ernest R. Koskiniemi age 78 of Moorhead, MN formerly of Detroit Lakes, MN died Wednesday July 25, 2012 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. Ernest Robert Koskiniemi was born on May 25, 1934 in Gackle, ND to Toivo and Aina Wirkkunen Koskiniemi. They moved to the Wolf Lake, MN area when Ernie was a young boy. He attended country school near Wolf Lake and graduated from Menahga High School in 1953. He served in the United States Army from 1956 "? 1958. He was united in marriage to Shirley Sakkinen on Feb. 16, 1958 in Wolf Lake, MN. He worked for the Army as a cryptographic repairman in Arlington, VA, Sacramento, CA, and Fort Leavenworth, KS. In 1970 he began working for the FAA as a computer technician in Kansas City, MO. He later moved to Farmington, MN where he worked for Air Traffic Control. He retired from there in 1990 and moved to Detroit Lakes. In 1991 Ernest had a kidney transplant from a kidney he received from his daughter, which was a very special event in his life. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Swanson on Dec. 23, 1995 in Detroit Lakes, MN. He moved to Moorhead, MN in 2008. Ernie was a life member of the DAV and also a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. He enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with much loved family and friends. He also had a great interest in current events and politics. He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl (Donald) Main, of Morris, MN; and Connie (David) Strandquist, of Hawley, MN; five grandchildren, Jacob Main, Rachel Strandquist, Chanel Strandquist, Daniel (Sara) Strandquist, and Ariel Strandquist; two great grandchildren, Jaidyn Main and Talon Main; one brother, Einard (Dorothy) Koskiniemi, of Park Rapids, MN; three sisters, Shirley (Norman) Kangas, of Ironwood, MI; Elma (Will) Postell, of Florence, SC; and Vivian (Nelson) Nutter, of Hillsboro, OH; several nieces and nephews; two stepsons, Rodney Swanson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and Steven (Sandy) Swanson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and two stepdaughters, Linda Niemi, of Snellman, MN; and Lori Denstedt, of Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Phyllis (9/27/04); grandson, Justin Main; three brothers, Steen, Duane, and Evert Koskiniemi; and two sisters, Amy Porkkonen and Beulah Skoog.