Byron F. Koskiniemi, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Battle Ground, Washington, on Oct. 30, 2021 surrounded by loved ones. He was born to Oscar and Marian Koskiniemi in Gackle, North Dakota, and grew up farming. He attended college in Valley City, North Dakota, and Corvallis, Oregon, and worked as a school teacher and general contractor. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking, but especially loved spending time with family and friends. Byron was a longtime member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church and invited everyone to “come to church.”
Byron is survived by his wife of 62 years Yvonne, children Todd (Shawn), Jill (Mike) Reddig, Paul (Marlene), Joel/Tom (Kristina), Troy/TJ (Susan), and Lora (Carter) Kruse, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Audrey (Charles) Lobbestael, brother Kenneth (Peggy), sisters-in-law Marguerite Harvester and Vi Nelson, brothers-in-law Robert (Darlene) Nelson and Steve (Pam) Nelson, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jimmy and Glen; sisters Carol Lindgren and Mildred Berge; sister-in-law Alice Koskiniemi; brothers-in-law Lawrence Lindgren, Kaare Berge, Jimmy Harvester, Stan Nelson and Roger Nelson; and great-grandson Kevin Taylor.
A funeral was held at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Lewisville, with interment at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Lewisville Cemetery.
