Obituary: Donna Juntunen

Donna Juntunen passed away peacefully on Aug. 20, 2024, with family by her side, one day before the date her beloved husband passed away three years ago. She was born June 9, 1933, in Cloquet to Melti and Ellen Mattson. The family resided on Dunlap Island when she was young. They moved to Esko and Donna began high school in the ninth grade. She was the homecoming queen in 1951.

She started dating "Chum" Juntunen and they became high school sweethearts. They continued sending love letters to each other while he was in Korea. She moved to Duluth and worked at St. Luke's hospital. She often talked about her experiences there. They were married when he returned from the Korean War, on Nov. 24, 1956.

Donna owned and operated a Finnish shop she named "Kamari," starting it from her own home, then moving it to the backside of Regional Reality in Cloquet, and finally opening her own shop on Cloquet Avenue. She had the business for nearly 50 years.

Her customers became her friends. Coffee and treats were always served. She loved to entertain her customers. Her Kamari gift shop was also a great place to watch any of the Cloquet parades. Many gathered there for many years. It was always made into a picnic for all who attended. So much fun for all ages.

Donna loved being a mother of her two boys, Greg and Phil. When they were toddlers she took them everywhere just to show them off. Once she became a grandma, she cherished every minute she spent with her grandchildren.

Her other passion was gardening. There are still numerous perennial flowers that come up in her yard every year. She called her yard a wild garden.

Donna was a beautiful lady inside and out. She was very caring to all she knew, whether it be family or friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melti and Ellen Mattson; her husband, Merton "Chum" Juntunen; brother, Melvin "Sam" Mattson; sister, Mavis (Patrick) Elmore; brothers-in-law, Roy (Audrey) Juntunen, Earl Juntunen, Art (Mary) Juntunen, Denny and Joe Juntunen, Carl (Ardith) Juntunen, and Bill (Mary Helen) Juntunen; sisters-in-law Lorna (Les) Johnston, Elsa (Mel) Carlson, Betty (Jack) Bergstedt; nephew, Daniel Elmore; and step-grandsons Justin and Eric Langenbrunner.

She is survived by her sons, Greg (Mary Kim) Juntunen and Phil (Laura) Juntunen; grandchildren, Jason Juntunen, Katie (Dez) Juntunen, and Laura Ellen Juntunen; step-grandchildren Erin Langenbrunner, Lindsey (Daniel) Henagin, and Jeremy Schuelke; sisters-in-law Pat Mattson, Ruth Juntunen, Marrianne Juntunen and Kay Perttula; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Arlene Nephew, Jane Saarila, and so many others.

A celebration of life will be held 4-7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the River Inn in Scanlon. Arrangements are by Atkins-Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign a guest book and leave an online tribute, visit http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

Pine Knot News, Aug. 30, 2024