Eino Koski

Eino Arvid Koski

Penrose-Eino Arvid Koski was born November 2, 1926 in Angora, Minnesota, the son of August and Lydia (Erkkila) Koski who were from Finland.

He served in the military (U.S. Army) for 18 months during and after World War II at stateside Army bases. Upon discharge he attended trade school to learn accounting and telegraphy and then worked as a telegrapher/agent for nine years with the railroad industry, mainly in the southwestern United States.

Eino then returned to his roots in the iron mining region of Minnesota where he had grown up and he worked the rest of his career for Northern Engine Company which supplied equipment and parts to the iron mines.

His first wife, Frances Lane Koski, to whom he was married 28 years, died in 1981. He was also preceded in death by his brother August Koski, his half-brother John Hill, Sr., his nephew, John Hill, Jr., and his step-daughter Donna Nelson.

Upon his retirement in 1988, Eino moved to North Carolina and married Amy Roberta Silcox, who survives him. He is also survived by a brother Hugo Koski of Pine City, MN, two nieces Jane Hill Carlson of Pine City, MN and Julie Hill Shuster of Rome, NY and their families, two grandsons Shawn Koski and Shad Nelson, two granddaughters Shannon Martin (husband Dave) and Sherri Makowsky (husband Jim), and eight great-grandchildren.

For 25 years Eino was very much involved in Christian ministry to Haiti. In 1985 he and another man, Irving Flinck, founded Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. for the specific purpose of helping Bishop Stenio Capre who started as a pastor of one church in Haiti and has now planted approximately 280 churches throughout that country. Eino went to Haiti many times to oversee the work and funding of this ministry while he was chairman for 19 years.

Having given his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ when he was about 40 years old, Eino worked out his faith in many ways to bring Jesus Christ to others.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm, Friday, July 16, 2010 at Little River Baptist Church with Pastor Chris Farmer and Pastor Bill Pfister officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 PM Thursday evening, July 15, 2010 at Moore Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Helping Hands Ministry, P.O. Box 83, Angora, MN 55703
To leave a condolence message for the Koski family, please go to "Obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com . Moore Funeral Home is serving the family.