Kyllonen, Charles "Chuck" Donald devoted husband, father of four, grandfather of 16, and great grandfather of 18, died peacefully in Fort Myers, Florida, on March 22, 2022, 24 days short of his 93rd birthday. Born in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, he moved with his late mother, Inez, to Minneapolis, MN at the age of 5 after the untimely death by pneumonia of his then 41 year old father, Charley Kyllonen. He graduated in 1947 from North High where he met his late wife of 62 years, Patrica Cassidy, served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, attended the University of Minnesota on the GI bill, and spent his entire working career at Northern States Power Company as a Systems Engineer. He was an enthusiastic golfer and enjoyed socializing with the Cassidy and Guerre families, his St. Bridget's friends, and his lifelong North High circle. At the time of his death, he was visiting Fort Myers as he had for the previous 29 years to attend Minnesota Twins spring training and enjoy the sunshine. Although, for better or for worse, a longtime, highly spirited Twins, Gophers, and Vikings fan, his real passion was attending amateur athletics and he was rumored to have never missed a game or sporting event - baseball, football, hockey, basketball, track, volleyball, gymnastics, or otherwise - participated in by any of his children, grand-children, or great-grandchildren, at least within a hundred-mile radius. Known for his optimism, generosity, humility, respectfulness, and genuine joy expressed over others' accomplishments no matter how small, Chuck remained cheerful to the end, complimenting the food and expressing his gratitude to the staff at the hospice where he spent his last couple of weeks, as he looked forward to reuniting with his beloved Trish. Proceeded in death by his wife, Trish, his infant child, Charles, his mother, Inez Ojala, his sister, Helen Guerre, and his great grandson, Jalen Austin Meissner, and survived by his daughter, Peggy (Greg) Curtis, and sons Patrick (Summer), Brian (Colleen), and Michael (Kathy) Kyllonen. A celebration of life for Chuck's family and friends will be held on June 11, 2022. Contact the family for details.

Published on May 15, 2022