Lillian Kangas

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth with Pastor Jeanne Madsen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Eveleth Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert.

Lillian Dorothy (Karppinen) Kangas was born on June 12, 1931, to Emil and Anna (Heikkinen) Karppinen in Kelsey, MN.

Lillian started school in a three-room schoolhouse in Kelsey. She graduated from Cotton High School in 1949. She was very proud of the fact that she was on the class reunion committee twelve times. A few of these reunions were all-class reunions.

Lillian and Charles T. Kangas were married on November 18, 1950. They had four daughters. Connie Lee passed away at the age of 5 ½. Infant daughter lived for only 1 ½ hours, in 1960. Shelly (Mike Skenzich) passed away in 2022.

Lillian belonged to the United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth and also was a member of the former Health Committee. She was an active member of the Virginia, Mt. Iron, and Gilbert Senior Citizens Clubs, and was also a member of the Ladies of Kaleva. She was a charter member of the Gilbert-Eveleth Meals on Wheels, serving as the treasurer for over 20 years. Lillian, being the social person she was, belonged to many card clubs and dance groups. She participated as a volunteer at the Virginia Senior Center.

Lillians loved dancing, playing cards, spending time at the lake, and traveling. Any event that was with family was her favorite. She taught us that family comes first and family time is the best.

Charles passed away in 1995. Five years later, Lillian met Walt Lahti, who was her companion, until he passed 7 years later. Preceding Lillian in death was her husband Charles; daughters: Connie, baby, and Shelly; great-granddaughter, Addisyn Jane Sandnas; her parents, two brothers and two sisters and their spouses; nephews: Jerry and Dale; niece, Sheila; and great-nephew, Scott.

Survivor include: daughter, Sandy (Joe) Bozich; son-in-law, Michael Skenzich; Granddaughters: Catina (Brad) Sandnas and Nicole (Dustin) Jones; Grandson, Jeremy (Julie) Skenzich; Great-grandsons: Ashton (Maryann) Sandnas, Noah Sandnas, Aidan Sandnas, Alex Lackner and Joe (Hana) Lackner; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Waterview Pines and Moments Hospice for the wonderful care and support.