Ernest Russell “Ernie” Kononen died at his home in Coupeville on June 23, 2014, two days after his 93rd birthday. He was born in Pendleton, Ore., on June 21, 1921, to Lambert and Anna Kononen. Ernie was raised in Helix, where his parents operated a wheat farm. Back in the ’30s, many farms harvested wheat with horse or mule teams, and Ernie would run those teams in the fields.

He was an excellent athlete in school and excelled in basketball and baseball. Ernie was offered a college scholarship in sports, but he turned the offer down to enlist in the U.S. Navy. Shortly after enlisting, WWII was declared and Ernie became a veteran of the War. He also served during the Korean War and retired after 20 years of service. The Navy took him around the world on various cruises, including duty stations or visiting countries in Alaska, Japan, Italy, China, Virginia, Florida, California, Washington and finally to NAS Whidbey Island, where he retired. Ernie was married to Viola Tolonen, whom he had three children, but the marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage was to Louella (Lou)Thomason.

Following his military career, he worked as a cook and in construction in both Oak Harbor and South Whidbey. From there, he worked for Island County as a maintenance worker before fully retiring.

Ernie lived in the family home of 10 acres and loved mowing the yard and maintaining the woods and the trail. He was mowing his own yard until just recently. He enjoyed splitting firewood and spending quiet time on his land. Following retirement, he and Lou were snowbirds, spending winters in Yuma, Ariz.

Ernie was a very private and strong individual, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He always has had a cat or dog as a companion throughout his lifetime and ending with a cat during his last two years.

He also enjoyed taking care of dozens of hummingbirds.

Ernie is survived by two children, Allen Kononen and wife Bonnie of Mount Vernon and Marilyn Messner and husband Paul of Coupeville; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lou; his parents; one daughter, Jo Ann Kononen; and his siblings.

Ernie requested no formal funeral services be held. Cremation was conducted with private family inurnment to follow. Please visit Ernie’s page in the Book of Memories to share thoughts and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.