Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth

Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth
Commemorative wreaths placed on the graves of fallen heroes.
Interactive map of Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth
Details
Established2018
Location
Saginaw, Minnesota
CountryUnited States
Coordinates46°49′14.05″N 92°11′1.933″W / 46.8205694°N 92.18387028°W / 46.8205694; -92.18387028
TypePublic
Owned byMN Dept. of Veteran Affairs
Size104 acres (42 ha)
No. of graves<1,500
WebsiteOfficial
Find a GraveMinnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth is an active cemetery located in nearby Saginaw, Minnesota, United States. The facility includes an administration and visitor building, committal shelter, and a maintenance building designed by Bentz Thompson Rietow.[1] This cemetery, maintained by the State of Minnesota, includes the graves of more than 1,439 military service members and their family members.[2] At full capacity, the cemetery should accommodate 32,000 plots.[3]

History

In Feb 2016, the State of Minnesota acquired 104 acres for the cemetery after the Minnesota State Legislature authorized the construction of a state cemetery in Duluth.[4] The cemetery was dedicated on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 2018.[5]

That same day, the first veteran, Durbin M. Keeney, was laid to rest at the cemetery. Keeney helped establish the cemetery.[6]

Following the construction of the Little Falls cemetery and the Preston cemetery, the Duluth cemetery was the third of four Minnesota state cemeteries. The fourth state veteran's cemetery was dedicated in Redwood Falls.

In May 2026, the cemetery received the National Cemetery Administration's Operational Excellence Award for passing all 95 measured standards.[7]

Notable Interments

  • SSgt Durbin M. Keeny (First cemetery interment [11 November 2018], Regional Director Northern Chapter of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans [1998-2011], Vietnam War, USAF)
  • PVT Rodney W. Long (First and only WWI Veteran in cemetery, US Army)
  • SSG William C. Thomas (Dist. Service Cross, Silver Star, Vietnam War, US Army)[8]

Events

  • Each December, Honor Wreaths are placed on gravestones.[10]

Additional Reading

References

  1. ↑ "Veteran's National Cemetery Serving Northern and Northeast Minnesota". Bentz Thompson Rietow. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Duluth". Veterans Linkage Line. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  3. ↑ https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/duluth-veterans-cemetery-dedicated
  4. ↑ Olsen, Tom (24 September 2019). "Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Duluth dedicated". Brainerd MN: Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Duluth". Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Long, Anna (11 November 2018). "Duluth Veterans Cemetery Holds First Burial on Veterans Day". Wreaths For The Fallen. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Ornat, Marisa (19 May 2026). "Duluth State Veterans Cemetery receives federal recognition". Duluth MN: Northern News Now. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "William Carl Thomas". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  9. ↑ https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/2024-memorial-day-programs-in-the-northland/
  10. ↑ https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/162203/overview/?relatedId=0


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