Randy Karppinen

Randy Lee Karppinen, age 58, of Pillager passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 26, 2017, as the result of a motor vehicle accident near Baxter. Randy’s funeral service will be Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 11 am at The Journey North Church, on Woida Road in Baxter. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 1, from 5-7:00 pm, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, and will continue at the church on Thursday during the hour before services. Interment will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager, at 2 pm on Thursday.

Randy was born March 29, 1959 in Cloquet, to Arne and Vera (Anderson) Karppinen. He grew up and attended school in Cromwell. Following high school, he served in the US Army for two years. Pillager had been his home for the past 41 years. He owned and operated a small engine repair. Since 2011, he had worked as a Peer Support Specialist for Northern Pines. Randy enjoyed sports and served as a coach for both football and baseball. Watching Vikings games was especially fun for him. Randy was a fun-loving joker whose smiles and positive attitude brightened everyone’s day. His dogs Shadow (deceased) and Buddy were his special companions.

Randy will be remembered and missed by his children, Jason (Jean) Karppinen, of Brainerd, Lisa (Jassen) Beach, of Brainerd, and Dusty (Sara) Karppinen, of Motley; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and his siblings, Marvin, of Minneapolis, Karen (Rudy) Nikko, of Procter, Cheryl Milczark, of Moose Lake, and Danny (Wanda), of Cromwell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Raymond Heikkila; a brother, LeRoy; a sister-in-law, Margie, and a brother-in-law, Kenneth. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service of Baxter, 800-824-5051, www.brenny.com.