John R Katainen

John R. Katainen, age 94, died Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Emerald Care and Rehab in Columbus.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at McKown Funeral Home with the celebrant Chase Cherry officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard.

John Raymond Katainen was born October 2,1930 in Menahga, Minnesota to Andrew & Sophia Katainen. He joined the US Air Force in October 1951. John was united in marriage to Joyce D. (Savela) on October 19, 1951, in Ruston, Louisiana while stationed there. Shortly after getting married, he served in Korea for 13 months during the Korean conflict.

John & Joyce had one son, Bryon Dean, born & died October 7,1954.

John retired from the Air Force in 1971, after 20 years of service, as a Master Sergeant Training Instructor at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. After his Air Force career, he worked as a State of Colorado Driver's License Examiner until retirement.

John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was very active on many boards and committees at their Heather Gardens Condo community in Aurora CO., where they lived for many years. John and Joyce moved to Columbus, NE in 2019 to be closer to family.

John is survived by:
Wife, Joyce, of Columbus
Sisters-in-law Nancy Morton of Albion and Karen Savela of Inverness, Florida
Many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by:
His parents
Stepmother: Elina
Infant son: Bryon Dean
Siblings and spouses: Huldha Katainen, Hilma (Charles) Immonen, Ralph (Marcella) Katainen, Linda (Albert) Sarkela, Rudy (Lillian)Katainen, and Lila (Jack) Olson
Brothers-in-law: H. Sterling Morton and Dale Savela.