Mahlon Donald Karppinen, 74, passed away in Detroit Lakes MN on July 12, 2026.

Mahlon was born on November 5, 1951, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to Henry and Mary Karppinen. He grew up on the family farm near Toad Lake, where he developed a lifelong love for the outdoors. He attended a 1 room Country School near Toad Lake before graduating from Frazee High School in 1969.

He went on to attend the University of Minnesota Morris, where he earned a degree in History and Sociology in 1973. While at Morris, he met his good friend Don Gilmore, who introduced him to the love of his life, Cathie Gilmore.

On October 12, 1974, Mahlon married Catherine "Cathie" Gilmore, beginning a marriage filled with love, partnership, and family that lasted over five decades. In 1976, they made their home in Glyndon, Minnesota, where they built a life together and he became Pa/Father/Padre to their two sons, Christopher (Chris) and Robert (Bob).

Mahlon spent 29 years working as a Tool Sales Representative for Acme Electric before retiring in 2019. His honesty, dependability, and quiet sense of humor earned him the respect of coworkers, customers, and friends alike. He took great pride in his work and genuinely enjoyed visiting with his customers, many of whom became friends.

Outside of work, Mahlon found his greatest joy in nature. Deer hunting in the fall was an annual tradition he never missed, shared with Chris and, most recently, Jaxon. He loved open-water fishing on Toad Lake and Lake 15, as well as sitting on the ice, fishing with Bob. Quite simply, Mahlon was happiest when he was in the woods or on the water. He was also an avid tool enthusiast whose knowledge and appreciation of quality craftsmanship were well known to everyone around him. He loved working with his hands and helping others with their projects. True to form, Mahlon always seemed to have the exact tool for the task, the know how to use it, and a plethora of flashlights to get the job done.

Mahlon is survived by his beloved wife, Cathie; his sons, Chris Karppinen (Jen), grandchildren Emma and Jax; and Bob Karppinen (Meridith), grandchildren Eleanor and Walter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Karppinen, and his siblings, Milton and Elaine.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, Minnesota with a visitation starting at 5:00 p.m.

Mahlon will be remembered for his kindness, his humility, his strong work ethic, and his deep love for his family and the outdoors. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the memories he created, and the lives he touched. Though he will be greatly missed, those who knew and loved him will carry his memory with them always.