Maurice Lehtinen, 94, Formerly of Battle Lake

1912 - 2006

Maurice Lehtinen, 94, formerly of Battle Lake, died peacefully at Breck Home in Bloomington on Dec. 21, 2006, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Tevau, Finland, on June 5, 1912. He came to the U.S. with his family in 1918. He grew up and graduated from high school in Ironwood, Mich. He married Ringa Nikula in June of 1937. They had a son, Gene, in 1938.

For the majority of his career, Mauri managed the co-op store in East Lake, Minn. During his years in East Lake he helped establish the State Bank of McGregor. He was a charter member of the Aitkin County Committee for the Aging. This committee established the first senior housing facility in Aitkin County.

Mauri retired in 1977 and moved to Battle Lake. He lived on the lake from 1977 to 1997, a perfect place for an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports. He was also an active member of the Battle Lake senior citizen center.

He is survived by a son, Gene (Carla) of Bloomington; grandson, Jeff (Jenni) of St. Paul; granddaughter, Lisa (Dennis) of Phoenix, Ariz., great-grandson, Nikki; brother, Don of Duluth; sister, Miriam Metsala of Superior, Wis.; in laws, Norma and Roy Wichmann of Fergus Falls, Vienna Nikula of Floodwood, Minn., and Tom Townsend; many nieces, nephews, and friends; and special friend, Arlene Swanson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Methodist Hospital Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Memorial service: Conducted in the spring
Burial: Salo Cemetery, Salo Township, Minn.
Funeral home: Washburn McReavy/Werness Brothers Bloomington