George L. Kononen, 71, of Helix, died Monday, Jan. 2, 1989, at Delamarter Care Center in Pendleton. A graveside funeral service will be held at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton on Thursday at 1 p.m.
Kononen was born Feb. 22, 1917 in Pendleton, to Lambert A. and Anna Narkaus Kononen. He grew up in the area and graduated from Helix High School in 1938. He did farm work with his father and worked with horses. Kononen served with the U.S. Army during World War II.
On Aug. 24, 1945, he married Norma C. Hunot at Walla Walla and the couple made their home in Helix. He worked on area farms for S. E. Brogoitti, Rees Brothers, King-Temple, and managed the Bollmer-Stimell Ranch northeast of Helix for 24 years. He was a member of the Greasewood Finnish Heritage Society board of directors and a member of the American Legion Post in Athena.
Survivors include his wife, at home; daughters, Joyce (Mrs. Dennis) Robertson of Bois; Kathleen (Mrs. Steven) Comstock and Sally (Mrs. Larry) Blanc, both of Pendleton; brother, Glenn of LaGrande and Ernest of Coupeville, Wash.; and five grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Finnish Church, Greasewood Finnish Heritage Society, c/o Shirley Peterson, Route 1, Box 34, Helix, OR 97835, or to the Helix High School Student Memorial Loan Fund, directly or through Burns Mortuary, P. O. Box 489, Pendleton.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman