Leola “Lee” Keskinen, age 88, a resident of the Town of Bennett, died on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Duluth.

Lee was born on November 28, 1933, in Glynn, Louisiana, to parents Hullen and Benita Coston.

She was raised, attended, and graduated school in Glynn before attending Nurse’s Training in Baton Rouge.

After graduating, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where she would serve honorably as a Medic/Nurse from October of 1956 until November of 1958. She then transferred into the Air Force Reserves until her Honorable Discharge at the rank of Captain in September of 1965. After leaving the Air Force, she met her future husband, Richard Keskinen, and the couple was married on September 1, 1961, in Warrensburg, Missouri. Richard remained enlisted as a Pilot in the Air Force, which then took the family throughout the U.S. where she continued to find work as a Nurse After 21 years, Richard was discharged from the Air Force, and then took a job with the Federal Government. This continued to have the family live throughout the U.S. until his retirement, when they moved back to Richard’s family farm in Bennett. Lee worked at Middle River Health and Rehab until her retirement in January of 2010. Lee enjoyed raising and spending time with her family and anything regarding owls.

Lee is survived by her husband Richard of Bennett, daughters: Kim Keskinen of Bennett, Kelli Cole of Superior, Kerri Keskinen of Round Rock, TX, 5 granddaughters: Kali, Kyndal, Kristina, Jessica, Teresa, 4 great grandchildren, sister Kay Spiers of Louisiana, sister-in-law Helen Keskinen of New York, and many nieces and nephews.

Lee is preceded death by her parents, sister Joy Meyers, brothers Wilmer Coston and Marlin Coston, mother-in-law Ruth Keskinen, and son in law Stuart Cole.

A graveside service with Wes Koehler officiating and Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 1:30pm, at the Lutheran Cemetery, at the intersections of Bennett Rd and Hwy E, near Bennett.

Last Update: Jun 23, 2022 12:47 pm CDT