Walter Muhonen 1927 – 2023

Walter Michael Muhonen of Buffalo, Minnesota, died at home on March 2, 2023 at the age of 95 years eight months and two days. He was born in Greenville, NH on June 30, 1927 to Ilmari and Alla (Gedenberg) Muhonen. After graduating from high school he served in the US Navy at the end of WW II.
Walter met Sylvia Halonen in White Bear Lake, MN while traveling from the East to West coast. He knew when he saw her that she was the one for him. Most of their courtship was by letters through the mail. They were married on December 11, 1948 and were blessed with 13 children. They raised their family in the Twin Cities area where Walter worked first as a residential carpenter, building houses without the benefit of power tools. Later in his career he worked as a commercial carpenter and retired from the Minneapolis Public Schools as a cabinet maker.
Walter was a master carpenter and he passed this along to his sons as they worked with him on many house building projects. He was a kind and gentle man who gave freely of his time helping his family, friends and God’s Kingdom with the gifts God gave him.
He built their retirement home on Spirit Lake in Menahga, MN in 1989. They spent 23 wonderful years on the lake where he enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, gardening, working in his shop, and hosting family and friends.
Walter received the grace of repentance when he was 20 years old. He has been a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church since then. The Gospel of the forgiveness of sins was his source of strength to the very end of his life.
Walter is survived by his wife, Sylvia of 74 years; children: Nancy (Robert) Keranen, Cindy (Arnold) Keranen, daughter-in-law Enid Muhonen, Susan (Kalevi) Tarnanen, Margo (Duane) Hillukka, Linda (Mike) Landa, Cheryl (Steve) Kumpula, Greg (Donna), Nathan (Janelle), Martha (Eric) Oja, Dale (Kimberly), Diane (Loren) Hillukka and Steve (Sheila); 152 grandchildren, 726 great-grandchildren and 60 great-great grandchildren
He is preceded in death by his son Dennis, parents Ilmari and Alla; siblings: Wilho, Edwin and Ellen, grandson Grant Hillukka, eight great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A visitation will be held on Friday March 10, 2023 from 5-9 p.m. at The Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, MN. Service will be held at 7 p.m. with Keith Waaraniemi officiating. Further visitation Saturday morning, March 11 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the church.
Funeral services for Walter Muhonen will be held on Saturday March 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at The Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, MN. Officiant will be Jouko Haapsaari.
Pallbearers will be Gregory, Nathan, Dale and Steven. Honorary Pallbearers Robert, Arnold, Kalevi, Duane, Michael, Steven, Eric and Loren.
Interment will be held at The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1 p.m.The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.3-8pd