Thief River Falls – Victor Kalinoski, 97 of Thief River Falls, died peacefully of old age on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Riverview Hospital in Crookston.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Thief River Falls. Military honors provided by the American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
Victor Stanley Kalinoski was born on November 10, 1919 in Greenbush, the son of Nick and Mary (Bozikowski) Kalinoski. He was baptized at St. Leo Catholic Church in Roseau County, and confirmed on June 24, 1930 at St. Leo Catholic Church.
Victor graduated from Greenbush High School in 1938. He served in the United States Army from March 1942 to November 1945. Victor’s tour of duty took him to New Zealand, Australia, India, Iran and many other places throughout the world and he was Honorably Discharged.
Victor married Violet R. Langevin September 25, 1951 in Thief River Falls. To this union three sons were born, Richard, Ronald and Thomas. Violet passed away July 6, 1992.
Victor began working in a hardware store that is now known as Ace Hardware in 1939, then on to Roseau Ace Hardware for 2 years. He became the manager of Ace Hardware in Thief River Falls for 3 years and later moved to Ace Hardware in Waukegan, IL for 2 years. In March of 1961, Victor came back to Thief River Falls and purchased Ace Hardware. He sold it to his son, Ron, on January 1, 1982 and Victor joined the retired group.
Victor married Lila Dehn of Elk River, in July 29, 1994 and the couple continued to reside in Thief River Falls.
He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church; was of 3rd and 4th degree of Knights of Columbus, and also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Lions, VFW, Legion, and Golden Pioneers. Victor enjoyed motor home travel since 1976 throughout the country and since 1981 has spent the winter months at W & I Resort in Mission, TX with many, many friends.
He is survived by his wife Lila of Thief River Falls; sons; Rick of Detroit Lakes, Ron (Kim), and Tom all of Thief River Falls; 3 grandchildren, Isaac, Nicholas and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Kash and Kruz; brother-in-law, Vic Soller of Albert Lea; sister-in-law, Joan Kalinoski of Milwaukee, WI; 2 step daughters, Deborah (Rocky) Ruff of Brainerd, and Sandra O’Brien of Buffalo; 6 step-grandchildren, Jessie, Angie, Jacob, Bryan, Tim and Chris; 4 step-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Violet; parents, Nick and Mary Kalinoski; sisters, Angeline and Joan; brothers, John, Eddie, August, Andrew, Leo, and Clem; grandson, Benjamin Weigelt.
Memorials to be given to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church Projector Fund.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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