Carl Gustaf Dormanen

Carl (Chucky) Gustaf Dormanen, 87, beloved, father, grandfather and great grandfather and friend, went to be with Jesus on March 2, 2012. Carl was born to Gustaf and Hilma (Nevela) Dormanen on October 6, 1924, in Paddock Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota. In 1944-1946 Carl served in the United States Army during WWII. After his honorable discharge, Carl farmed with his Dad and played baseball for the Meadow Team. Carl also worked at the Iron Range and logging in Finland, Minnesota. Carl was united in marriage to Jennie Mae Ollila on August 24, 1957. They moved to Minneapolis, where Carl worked for International Paper Company 18 years and Jennie work for Leaf Brothers. They were blessed with four children. In 1975, Carl and his family moved to Menahga where he farmed, logging and did sawmill work. Carl loved baseball; he kept very involved with his son Charlie playing and his grandsons. He was an avid Twins, St. Louis Cardinals and Menahga, Hubbard, Huntersville, Redeye, Midway and Red Hawks baseball fan. He loved to hunt and fish and go camping. He taught his sons and his grandkids how to deer hunt. Carl also taught his sons how to hobby farm. One of Carl’s favorite places to be was driving his John Deere "B" Tractor. Even last summer he was still raking and baling hay. Every Fall Carl had to be involved in cutting firewood and both at Charlie and Curt's homes. One of his biggest hobbies was playing poker. Every weekend he would go to Curt and Paula's and play his polka music and play poker, and have bragging rights for the next week on how he won. He loved when his grandkids came over and watched Twins Baseball with him. Carl was a lifelong member of the Menahga VFW. He had many friends there. Carl is preceded in death by his loving wife Jennie; parents, brother, Ted Dormanen and sisters, Miriam Maaninga, Jenny Peterson, Sylvia Mustonen, Mayme Dormanen, and Martha Nelson. Carl is survived by one brother, Eddie Dormanen of Detroit Lakes; one sister, Lillian Niskanen of Minneapolis; daughter, Debra Bristlin and her husband Willie, of Menahga; son, Charles Dormanen and his wife Lisa, of Menahga; son, Curtis Dormanen and his wife Paula, of Nevis; son, James Dormanen and his wife Delores, of Modesto, California; Carl also has 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 5, 2012 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Pastor Steven A. Bruer officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church. Lonnie Schmidt will serve as organist. Honorary Pallbearers are Edward Dormanen, James Niemela, Allen Hoyhtya, Larry Maaninga, Melvin Kinnunen and all who called him friend. Active Casketbearers include Mark Dormanen, Derek Dormanen Kyle Dormanen, Russell Niskanen, Melvin Lempiainen and Terry Maaninga. Guy L. McDermeit VFW Post #6206 of Menahga, MN will provide Military Honors. Interment will be at Hillview Cemetery in Paddock Township, Ottertail County, MN.