Melvin "Mickey" Karinen

Melvin “Mickey” Karinen, age 94 of Belle Fourche, passed away Monday August 10, 2015 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD. The funeral service will be held 10:00 am Tuesday, August 18th, 2015 at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 pm Monday at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Pine Slope Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. Melvin “Mickey” Karinen was born August 26, 1920 in Newell, South Dakota. He was the son of John and Olivia (Nikkila) Karinen. Mickey grew up near Deers Ears, north of Newell, as one of eleven children. During World War II, he served two tours in the U.S. Army with the Tenth Mountain Division between 1944 and 1946. On September 4, 1948 Mickey was united in marriage to Barbara Webb. To this union, four children were born: Tim, Lora, Cheryl, and Jan. Following their marriage they lived on National Street in Belle Fourche for 60 years. Mickey worked at American Colloid for 31 years as a heavy equipment and Caterpillar operator. Barbara died in 2009 and for the past two years, Mickey has resided in Marion, South Dakota. Mickey had a deep appreciation for animals and the great outdoors; he was an avid fisherman and hunter. Some of his favorite past times were driving in the country, scouting for deer and antelope, and surveying Orman Dam. He also enjoyed gardening; playing harmonica; and attending local rodeos, parades, and Belle Fourche Broncs sporting events. Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Tim (Cathy) Karinen of Grosse Ile, MI; daughters, Lora (Roger) Venjohn of Wessington, SD, Cheryl (Pat) Wong of Tucson, AZ, Jan (Bill) Allen of Everett, WA; sister, Dorothy Piper, Glendale, AZ; 6 granddaughters, Jamie (Bryan) Brost, Jessica (Dan) Mertz, Megan Karinen, Sarah Karinen, Elizabeth Karinen, and Carina Wong; and 3 great-grandchildren: Zachary Mertz, Gabrielle Mertz, and Allison Brost. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers; and seven sisters. Mickey was “one-of-kind” and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.