Donna Mae Mattson Juntunen

In Loving memory of Donna Juntunen who passed away peacefully on August 20, 2024 with family by her side one day before her beloved husband passed away 3 years ago. She was born June 9, 1933 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Melti and Ellen Mattson. They resided on Dunlop Island in Cloquet when she was young. They moved to Esko and Donna began High School in the ninth grade. She was the Homecoming queen in 1951. She started dating “Chum” Juntunen and they became high school sweethearts. They continued sending love letters to each other while he was in Korea. She moved to Duluth and worked at St. Lukes hospital. She often talked about her experiences there. They were married when he returned from Korea on November 24, 1956.

She owned and operated a Finnish shop she named Kamari. It started originally from her own home and then the backside of Regional Reality in Cloquet until she had her own shop on Cloquet Ave. in Cloquet. She had this business for nearly 50 years. Her customers became her friends. Coffee and treats were always served. She loved to entertain her customers. Her Kamari Shop was also a great place to watch any of the Cloquet parades. Many gathered together at the Kamari shop for many years. It was always made into a picnic for all that attended. So much fun for all ages!

Donna loved being a mother of her two boys Greg and Phil. When they were toddlers she took them everywhere just to show them off. Then once she became a grandma she cherished every minute she spent with her grandchildren. Her other passion was gardening. There are still numerous perennial flowers that come up in her yard every year. She called her yard a wild garden. Donna was a beautiful lady inside and out. She was very caring to all she knew, whether it be family or friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melti and Ellen Mattson; her husband, Merton “Chum” Juntunen; brother, Melvin “Sam” Mattson; sister, Mavis (Patrick) Elmore.  Brother-in-laws: Roy (Audrey) Juntunen, Earl Juntunen, Art (Mary) Juntunen, Denny and Joe Juntunen, Carl (Ardith) Juntunen, and Bill (Mary Helen) Juntunen. Sister-in-laws: Lorna (Les) Johnston, Elsa (Mel) Carlson, Betty (Jack) Bergstedt. Nephew, Daniel Elmore; step-grandsons, Justin and Eric Langenbrunner.

She is survived by her sons, Greg (Mary Kim) Juntunen, and Phil (Laura) Juntunen. Grandchildren, Jason Juntunen, Katie (Dez) Juntunen, and Laura Ellen Juntunen. Step-grandchildren, Erin Langenbrunner, Lindsey (Daniel) Henagin, and Jeremy Schuelke. Sister-in-laws, Pat Mattson, Ruth Juntunen, Marrianne Juntunen, and Kay Perttula; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, and numerous nieces, and nephews. Very special friends, Arlene Nephew, Jane Saarila, and so many other friends.

A celebration of life will be held at the River Inn in Scanlon on September 7th from 4 to 7 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.