Allan K. Honkanen

Private family funeral service for Allan K. Honkanen, 93, of Gilbert, will be held at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert with Pastor Steve Weston officiating. Burial will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to United In Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth, MN. Allan died Saturday, October 24, 2015 at St. Michael’s Health and Rehab in Virginia, MN. He was born November 26, 1921 in Pike Township to Allan and Anna (Kortelainen) Honkanen. Allan was a graduate of Embarrass High School and attended Eveleth Jr. College. Allan served in the US Navy during WWII at which time he was enrolled in the ROTC program and attended college at Berea College, Berea, KY and Duke University in Durham, NC. He served on the USS Mississippi. In April 1950 he married Laila Niemi. He was employed for 35 years by US Steel in the accounting department. He was a member of United In Christ Lutheran Church of Eveleth and the American Legion Post #239 of Virginia. Survivors include his sons: Rodney (Ruth) Honkanen of Mendota Heights and David (Laurie Lewandowski) Honkanen of Eagan; granddaughters: Lindsey and Kyra Honkanen; brother, Arvid (Claire) Honkanen and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. wife, Laila; siblings: Robert, Helvie and Kay.