Charles Elmer Kuivinen

Kuivinen, Charles Elmer August 27, 1935-September 11, 2023 Charles, lovingly called "Charlie" by his sweet wife Lynn, graduated into his glorious eternal home with King Jesus on September 11, 2023 at the age of 88. He was welcomed into Heaven by his first wife Barbara Edith Kuivinen, parents - Nels and Sadie Kuivinen, sister Barbara Taylor, niece Leigh Taylor and a host of Finnish ancestors. Those (still carrying the torch) are wife Roselynn Bowe-Kuivinen, children Diane (Scott) Ritchie, Paul (Roxanne) Kuivinen, Sonya (Bruce) Walker, grandchildren Monica, Benjamin, Sonya, Daniel, Timothy, Hannah, Luke, Rachel, Paul and great-granddaughter Mercy Kairos, and brother Dr. Edward Kuivinen. Charles was born in Wakefield, Michigan to a family of Finnish immigrants. He was raised on Finnish pasties, pulla bread, raspberry everything, saunas and ski hills. "Chubbie" was known for his SISU grit, laughter, brilliance and love for the woods. He became a lifetime Michigan Wolverine and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He went on to receive a MS in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkley and an MBA at UCLA. In his professional years, he was CFO at Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI and Sinclair Manufacturing in Toledo, OH, before launching a Professional Employment agency in Ann Arbor, MI. All of this prepared him well for his years as Professor of Business at Univ. of Northwestern, St Paul, MN where he created a world class International Business Department. When asked "Why did you leave a lucrative career at Ford?" Charles responded "I decided family was more important than career." He lived this out with his wife Barbara and children in Toledo, always at the breakfast and dinner table, blazing national park trails on family vacations, overseeing his children's education, cheering at every sports event and coaching his three through life. All of his nine grandchildren confidently exclaim "I know he loves me!" All have received his quality time during their lives in Arizona, Russia and Indonesia, at arts performances, sports events and every graduation. He championed their development, always asking a "Grandpa question" at every mealtime and reminding them in life to "Stay Curious!" In everything, Charles was motivated by his deep relationship with His creator and savior, Jesus Christ. As a devoted Kingdom ambassador, Charles served decades as a local church leader, missions leader, school board chairman and launching graduates into the global marketplace. One recently wrote "His legacy lives on through so many of us, impacting the business world as salt and light, as incredibly strong professionals, taught, mentored and inspired by him." When asked "What are your parting words of wisdom," in true and faithful character, Charles said "Love others well!" Life Remembrance September 23, 2023 12pm-2pm Visitation and viewing Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home 706 4th Ave N New Brighton, MN September 23, 2023 3pm-5pm Celebration of Life Appetizer Reception and Open Mic Program 3:30-4:15 pm University of Northwestern 3003 Snelling Ave N Roseville, MN Final resting place Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, MI In lieu of flowers, a Charles E. Kuivinen Legacy Scholars Fund has been established through Solutionaries International Foundation. Please visit solutionariesinternational.com donation page. Washburn-McReavy.com New Brighton Chapel 651-636-9821

Tributes

Charles Elmer Kuivinen

August 27, 1935 - September 11, 2023

Tributes

Charles Elmer Kuivinen

August 27, 1935 - September 11, 2023

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