Earl M. Kniivila

Earl M. Kniivila, age 100, of Iron River, MI, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital.   He was born December 9, 1915 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of the late Mathew and Hilma (Isaacson) Kniivila.   He attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating in 1932. Following graduation, he worked for the WPA in the CCC and U.S. Forest Service. In 1937 he was employed by the M.A. Hanna Mining Company in the Iron River office.  He served two years in the U.S. Army in the European Theater, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He resumed working for M.A. Hanna in Iron River, and was transferred to Hibbing, MN when the underground mines closed in Iron River. He retired in Hibbing in 1977 and moved to North Carolina for one year, returning to Iron River in 1978. Earl married Margarey Lee on September 15, 1950 in Gaastra, MI and the couple resided in Beechwood for 19 years.  Margarey preceded him in death in 1979. On June 18, 1983, he married Dorothy (Vassar) Seilo Holmes at the First Presbyterian Church, Iron River, and the couple made their home at Hagerman Lake until 2008. Dorothy preceded him in death in 2012. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Iron County in Iron River, the American Legion, Golden K, and former Elks Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, reading, and spending time with his family.   Earl is survived by his son, Bruce (Ethie) Kniivila of Virginia, MN; daughters, Beth (Hans) Sageng of Mankato, MN, Nancy (Kent Adams) Kniivila of Juneau, AK, and Julie (Jeff Jones) Parkins of St. Peter, MN; step-daughters, Janice (Edward Camps) of Caspian,  and Judy (Steve) Russell of Iron River; sister-in-law, Marge Farmer of Rockford, MI; grandchildren, Dawn Sageng, Alexis Jones, and Kira Jones; step grandchildren Curt (Terri) Camps, Dan (Melanie) Camps, and Michelle (Chuck) Erickson; step great grandchildren, Tyler Camps, Alyssa Marheini, Ashley Camps, Logan Fish, and Alaina Erickson; step great, great grandchildren, Mason and Madison Marheini; numerous nieces and nephews, including special nieces, Kris Williams and Kim Evans, and a large extended family in Alaska. He was also preceded in death by brothers, John and Ken Kniivila, three infant brothers, sisters, Vieno Kniivila, Norma Passamoni, and Elaine Chesron, and grandson, Christopher Pearson. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dawn Treado to officiate. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery.  The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Presbyterian Memorial Fund. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earl M. Kniivila, please visit our flower store.