OBITUARIES
Recent obituaries in Wadena County, Minnesota
The obituaries in the Sebeka, Minnesota Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity Wadena County's history and identity.
Susan Ann Luukkonen
Mar 22, 2014
Susan Ann Luukkonen age 45, of Sebeka, MN died Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena, MN. Susan was born the youngest of three children to Carl and Loretta (Nielsen) Anderson on April 11, 1968 in Wadena, MN. Susan attended Sebeka High School graduating with the class of 1986. She continued her education at Wadena Tech and graduated...
Violette Augusta Lapinoja
Mar 18, 2014
Violette Augusta Lapinoja, age 92 passed away peacefully on March 18, 2014 at her home in Menahga, MN with her family and loved ones by her bedside. Violette was born to Gustave and Edith (Olbeckson) Riemann on October 22, 1921 in Haliday, ND. As a young girl the family moved back and forth from Minnesota to North Dakota several times....
Laura Kumara
Mar 15, 2014
Laura Kumara age 97, of Richfield, MN died Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. Laura was born to John and Bess (Mahler) Thiede on January 30, 1917 in Spruce Grove Township, Becker County, MN. Laura worked as a waitress and Hostess, and she worked in a Daycare until she was ninety years old. Laura was...
Sheldon Lee Rasmussen
Mar 5, 2014
God has welcomed into heaven a truly loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Sheldon Lee Rasmussen 65, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Sheldon was born September 25, 1948 in Hallock, MN to Ellis “Bud “and Bernice Rasmussen. Sheldon was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church in Dexter, MN on June 12, 1949. He...
Marie Ellen Liimatta
Feb 22, 2014
Marie Ellen Liimatta age 63, of Menahga, Minnesota died Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Vibra Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Memorial Services for Marie Liimatta will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with visitation 5-8 p.m. on Friday, March 7 and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Pastor...
Marlin “Ken” Kenneth Augst
Feb 19, 2014
Funeral Services will be held for M. Kenneth “Ken” Augst 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Pastor Bruer officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Mary Hanninen will serve as Organist. Pallbearers are Isaac, Jordan, Zachary, Eric,...
Helen Audrey Wheeler
Feb 17, 2014
Helen Audrey Wheeler passed away at the age of 80 years old on February 17th, 2014. Helen, born on May 25th, 1933, in Litchfield, MN, was the second daughter of Reuben and Florence Anderson. . On June 20th, 1951, Helen married James Wheeler in Breckenridge, MN. In 1955, they moved to Sebeka where they have resided since and raised their...
Arlene Marie Anttila
Feb 5, 2014
Arlene Marie Anttila was born to Charles and Irma (Kraft) Sidlo on December 4, 1921 in Runeberg Township in Becker County, Minnesota. She was baptized in October, 1931 at Spruce Grove Lutheran Church. She was confirmed on October 10, 1937 at Bethany Lutheran Church of rural Menahga, Minnesota. Arlene was raised, attended grade school, and grew to womanhood in Becker...
Susan D. Johnson
Jan 26, 2014
Susan Deloris Johnson, age 62 of Park Rapids, MN, died at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND on January 26, 2014 due to complications from diabetes. Sue grew up near Bluegrass, MN attending District 14 Country School through sixth grade, and graduated from Wadena High School in 1969. Following high school, she attended Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, MN from...
Shane Daniel Keranen
Jan 21, 2014
Shane Daniel Keranen passed away on Tuesday, January 21st, 2014 at the age of 29 years old. Shane was born on April 28th, 1984 in Park Rapids, MN to Melody and Dave Keranen. He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church, attended Menahga High School, and graduated in 2002. In high school Shane played basketball and baseball for the...
Wilbur Charles Mcdonald
Jan 14, 2014
Wilbur Charles McDonald, age 82, of Sebeka, MN passed away January 14, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Wilbur was born on March 15, 1931 in North Germany Township to James and Marie McDonald. He attended country school until eighth grade and then worked on the family farm. He joined the United States Army February 10, 1955 where he spent...
Jean Pierre Arretche
Jan 11, 2014
Jean Pierre (JP) Arretche of Sebeka, Minnesota, died January 11, 2014, at the age of 84. He was born December 12, 1929, to Joachim and Catherine Arretche, near the village of Arneguy in the Basque Pyrenees region of France. Jean Pierre was the oldest boy in a family of 12, and he emigrated from France to California in 1949. He...
Carl Gust Salo
Jan 11, 2014
Carl Gust Salo, beloved father and grandfather and friend to many died Saturday January 11, 2014. He was 87 years old. Born December 18, 1926 he was the youngest of seven siblings. Leo, Lempi Wierimaa, Sylvia Wirkkala, Julia Tschudi-Kako, Hugo, Waino, and Arvo. Born to Charles and Ida Salo. Carl served in the military for 23 years and received many...
Duane James Paulson
Jan 2, 2014
Duane James Paulson age 73, of Menahga, MN died Thursday, January 02, 2014 at his home. Duane was born to Clarence and Olive (Wilson) Paulson on April 25, 1940 in Park Rapids, MN. He attended school in Menahga thru the 11th grade and graduated from Lake Park, MN in 1958. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on July...
Edgar Carl Tappe
Dec 23, 2013
Edgar Carl Tappe (Grandpa Tappe), 88, passed away early Monday morning on December 23, 2013 at his home in rural Sebeka. Edgar was born, March 11th, 1925, in Rockwood Township, Sebeka, Minnesota, the son of Otto and Anna (Johnson) Tappe. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He attended country school until 8th grade. Edgar joined the Army...
Howard “Howie” Verner Haataja
Dec 21, 2013
On the morning of December 21, 2013, Howard “Howie” Verner Haataja passed away at his residence in Sebeka, MN. He was 91 years old. Howard was born April 2, 1922 in Duluth, MN. His parents were Hilda Koskela Haataja and Carl Haataja. Howard grew up in rural Wolf Lake, MN and went to school in Wolf Lake. Howard worked at...
Elsie Marie Stromberg
Dec 7, 2013
Elsie Marie Stromberg, age 79, of Brainerd, MN, died on Saturday, December 7, 2013 in Fargo, ND surrounded by her family. Elsie was born to Waino and Lila Kumpula Lindroos on April 30, 1934 in Sebeka, MN Elsie is survived by her three daughters, Darla Rosing and her husband Bruce of Kenai, Alaska; Junell Schaefer and her husband Jim of...
Billie Marie Saulter
Dec 6, 2013
Billie Marie Saulter, age 53 of Menahga, MN died Friday, December 6, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Area Health Services in Park Rapids, MN. Billie was born to Wallace and Gloria Rae (Widell) McBeth on November 11, 1960 in Minneapolis, MN. Billie graduated from Winthrop High School and joined the Army. After her Honorable Discharge in July of 1983 she went...
Donna Esther Darlene Haataja
Dec 3, 2013
Donna Esther Darlene Haataja (nee Paurus) of Baxter, MN, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Bethany Nursing Home in Brainerd, MN. Donna was born to Alexander Paurus and Hilja Myers on August 22, 1935, in Meadow Township, Wadena County. She was united in marriage to Harvey Haataja in 1953. She was a devoted mother...
Shirley Ione James
Dec 1, 2013
Shirley Ione James, age 72, of Menahga, MN died Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Tri County Hospital in Wadena, MN. Shirley was born February 4, 1941 in Sebeka, MN to William and Vida (Hoyhtya) Kuha. She grew up in Sebeka and graduated from High School there. On May 23, 1962 she married Gayle Hotchkiss in Wadena, MN they made their...