Russell Douglas Keranen, age 85 of Virginia died Friday, November 16, 2018 in Chestnut Grove Assisted Living Center. He was born December 28, 1932 in Pike Township, the son of Charles and Hilda (Kivila) Keranen and was a graduate of Embarrass High School. Russ was a member of the Flying Finns track team. The Embarrass runners won the District 27 championship in 1951, 1952 and 1953, the Region 7 title in 1951 and 1953 and came in third in state in 1952. "This was quite an accomplishment for a small rural school to achieve in a one-class system where they competed against large schools like Virginia, Hibbing and the Twin Cities schools." He served in the United States Army during the Korean War with A Company 809th Engineers. Russ lived in Pike until 1959 when he married Judith Kyllonen and they moved to Britt. They lived in Britt until moving to Virginia in 2006. Russ was employed as an Operating Engineer for several construction companies and ran a Mail Route for many years. He was a licensed pilot, rode motorcycles, and loved playing softball and deer hunting.

Russ is survived by his wife of 59 years: Judy; children: Bruce Keranen of Palo, Cheryl (Bob) Oakman of Nashville, and Pam (Brian) Newhouse of Virginia; grandchildren: Eric Keranen, Kyle Keranen, Alex Keranen, Cory Newhouse, Chris Newhouse, and Gage Oakman; great-grandchildren: Mallory Keranen and Brantley Newhouse; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: John Keranen and Gladys Mickelson; in-laws: John and Gusty Kyllonen; sisters-in-law: Patsy and Betty; brothers-in-law: Donald, Jim and Richie; nephews: Donald, Jr. and Larry and niece: Karla Abramson.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2018 in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Military Honors accorded by the Virginia Serviceman's Honor Guard. Inurnment will take place is the East Pike Cemetery.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation

Monday November 26, 2018 , 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel

Funeral Service

Monday November 26, 2018 , 2:00 PM

Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel