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Francis D. Kanniainen

HOUGHTON — Francis D. Kanniainen, 74, of Houghton, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2018, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Covington, on October 9, 1943, the son of the late Louie and Ruth (Niemi) Kanniainen.

Francis graduated from L’Anse High School in 1961.

He joined the United States Air Force, and honorably served during the Vietnam War.

Francis worked at Baraga County Road Commission as an Engineer Aide until his retirement.

He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Covington, the Covington AMVETS, and the Covington Fire Department. Francis also served on the Covington Township Board for 12 years.

He loved going out to his camp in Sidnaw that he had built in 1985, watching the Lions and Tigers, and going to the casino. He and Linda traveled many times to Laughlin, Nevada.

Francis was always available to help his neighbors with anything they needed. He was also the courier for getting messages or items from one of his daughters to the other.

Francis is survived by his loving family, his daughters, Lisa (George) Karcher of Covington, Anne (John) Tikkanen of Baraga, and Lynn LaTendresse (Michael Shiroda) of Chassell; his grandchildren, Stephen (Megan) LaBerge of Eagan, Minnesota, Shelby Sikkila (Tyler Fredricks) of Remus, and Jordan LaTendresse of Bozeman, Montana; his step-grandchildren, Ashley (Jake) Karcher-Nabasny and Alex Karcher of Buffalo, New York; his step-great-granddaughter, Sloane Nabasny of Buffalo, New York; his significant other, Linda Holma of Houghton; his brothers, Gene (Sandy) Kanniainen of Taylorsville, California, and Louie Kanniainen of L’Anse; his special friend, Doug Holma of Watton; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brothers, Jerome and Jerald; his stepmother, Bertha Kanniainen; and his sister-in-law, Lorraine Kanniainen.

Memorial funeral services for Francis will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, with Pastor Rich Little officiating.

The family will greet friends at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Immediately following the services, the family invites friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon at the Covington VFW Post #8945.

Interment will take place in the Covington Cemetery.

Francis’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at reidfuneralservicechapel.com

The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.