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.
Marvin Matthew Mattila
Apr 26, 2023
Marvin Matthew Mattila joined his beloved wife Mavis in heaven at the age of 85 on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023. He was born June 28,1937 in Cokato, MN to Otto and Fannie (Annala) Mattila. The only boy of 7 children, Marv grew up in Cokato and Menahga. He graduated from Dassel High School in 1955. Soon after, he enlisted in...
Janet Mable Makela
Apr 13, 2023
Janet Mable (Clarin) Makela of Menahga, MN, passed away on April 13, 2023, at Green Pine Acres nursing home in Menahga at the age of 83. She was born at home in Straight River township, Hubbard County, to Henry and Edna (Hook) Clarin on February 7, 1940. Janet had an ideal childhood growing up on the farm with her 9...
Sheila Ann Downer
Apr 2, 2023
Sheila Anne Downer, 74, of Huntersville, MN died peacefully on April 2nd, 2023, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids, MN with her daughter holding her hand. Sheila was born to Abner and Virginia Roche in Wadena, MN on December 2, 1948. She went to a small country school through the 8th grade and attended Menahga High School until she...
Melvin Ernest Kinnunen
Mar 25, 2023
Melvin Ernest Kinnunen, 85 of Menahga, was called to his eternal home with the Lord on Saturday, March 25th 2023. He passed peacefully after his Alzheimer’s Dementia progressed, surrounded by family under the care of the St. Joseph’s Hospice team and the amazing staff at Crystal Brook memory care. Melvin was born on January 5th, 1938 in Shell River Township,...
Frederick Henry Tate Jr
Mar 16, 2023
Frederick Henry Tate, Jr. (Hank) was born February 25, 1943 at Winona Co. General Hospital, Winona, MN. He passed away at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home, Menahga, MN on March 16, at 80 years, 23 days. His parents were Frederick Henry Tate, Sr. and Charlotte Dorthea (Cassel) Tate. He grew up on a dairy farm. They still used horses...
Lorraine Ardell Madsen
Mar 16, 2023
Lorraine Madsen, age 102 of Menahga, Minnesota, passed away on March 16, 2023 at Woodside Manor Assisted Living in Menahga. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:30 PM Saturday, May 13, 2023 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be 1:00 PM Monday, May 15....
Doris Mary Ronnebaum
Mar 9, 2023
Doris Mary Ronnebaum age 72, died March 9 2023 at her Oak Ridge Home in Wadena, MN. Doris was born to Robert and Verena (Schmitz) Ronnebaum on November 17, 1950 in Park Rapids, MN. Doris grew up and attended school in the Sebeka area. She later moved to Wadena. Doris enjoyed listening to Country Western Music and watching movies. She...
Carol Jean Hooper
Mar 3, 2023
Carol Jean Hooper passed away March 3, 2023 at Providence Villa in Sebeka, MN surrounded by family and friends after a battle with cancer. She was 68 years old. Carol was born to Herbert and Betty (Konstad) Hooper on April 23, 1954 in Hibbing, Minnesota. She was very proud of her Ranger roots. She graduated from Hibbing High School in...
Mavis Lorraine Mattila
Mar 1, 2023
Mavis Lorraine (Sandberg) Mattila, 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 at Green Pine Acres in Menahga, MN. She was born July 17, 1938 in Granite Falls, MN to Elmer and Gladys Sandberg. The eldest of seven children, Mavis grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Granite Falls High School in 1956, she moved to Minneapolis,...
Roy William Rudderforth Jr
Feb 18, 2023
Roy William Rudderforth, Jr., 70, of Menahga, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 18, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer. Roy was born January 7, 1953 in Alexandria, VA to Roy and Lola (Matta) Rudderforth, where he grew up throughout his childhood. Roy’s family would call him “Robin,” but he hated...
Elaine. Marcella Haataja
Feb 13, 2023
Elaine Haataja was born July, 16, 1941 in Runeberg Twp, MN to Eino and Lillian (Ollila) Simi. She attended country school in Midway and graduated from Menahga Public School in 1959. She married Wendell Haataja on November 28, 1959. They were blessed with 5 children. Elaine and Wendell lived briefly in Minneapolis before moving to Buhl, MN. Elaine held various...
Lorraine Loretta Keranen
Feb 13, 2023
Lorraine Keranen, 88, died peacefully on Monday, February 13, 2023 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, Park Rapids, Minnesota. Lorraine Loretta Junes was born an only child to Albert and Esther (Hovin) Junes on April 16, 1934 in Clearwater County, Minnesota. She was baptized in Bagley, Minnesota on June 3, 1934. In 1935 the family moved to Butte, Montana where her...
Norma Ann Hillukka
Feb 5, 2023
Norma Ann (Arvola) Hillukka of Menahga, MN passed away peacefully at her home at Rose Haven Assisted Living on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 90 years. She was born on May 8, 1932 near Sebeka, MN to Hjalmer and Anna (Niemela) Arvola. Norma was a willing helping hand on the family farm, from duties in the household...
Myrtle Adeline Jenkins
Jan 26, 2023
Myrtle Adeline (Taylor) Jenkins, age 102, was born September 30, 1920 in Valor, Saskatchewan, Canada to Asa and Della (Kimball) Taylor. In 1922, the family moved to Noonan, North Dakota, and Myrtle became a United States citizen. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. In 1937, Myrt graduated from Noonan High School where she was active in drama...
Stanley Charlton Stephenson
Jan 15, 2023
Stanley Charlton Stephenson - After 95 ½ years, covering 11 decades, Dads' successful journey here on earth came to an end on January 15, 2023, at his home with his loving wife of 71 1/2 years, Betty, by his side. Dad is preceded in death by his parents, L.C. "Chuck" Stephenson and Effie Pudas Stephenson; parents in-law, Ernest and Hildur...
Zachary Lee Fransen
Jan 4, 2023
Zachary Lee Fransen, 29, of West Fargo, passed away early on the morning of January 4th, 2023. Zachary was Born April 12, 1993 at St Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls MN to Ramona Lee Kennelly and Lonnie Lee Fransen. He grew up and attended school in Royalton, Menahga and New Prague, MN, graduating from Menahga Public High School with the...
Gary Allan Weyer
Dec 23, 2022
Surrounded by his three children and his loving wife, Gary Weyer passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Fargo Sanford Medical Center, at the age of 76 years. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of his life will...
Donald Eino Lillquist
Dec 5, 2022
Don was born on June 30, 1941, to Eino and Signe (Mattson) Lillquist and died due to complications of the dreaded disease, mesothelioma (Yep, the one you’ve heard the commercials about) on December 5, 2022. He was 81. When Don entered heaven, he was reunited with his angel on earth, his loving wife of 50 years, “Dukie,” who was probably...
Susan Muriel Kinnunen
Nov 21, 2022
Susan Muriel Kinnunen (Wiita) age 57 passed away on November 21st at her home in Battle Lake, MN. Sue was born on December 14th 1964 in Duluth MN to Arnold and Flora Wiita. As a young child the family moved from Duluth to Minneapolis. Later they moved to Sebeka where she attended and graduated from Sebeka School. She went to...
Melvin Kenneth Hotakainen
Nov 13, 2022
Melvin Kenneth Hotakainen ventured into his new hunting grounds in glory on Nov.13, 2022. He passed at home, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 81. Mel was the fourth of nine children born to Arne and Kaino (Heino) Hotakainen on August 21, 1941. He grew up on the family farm in Paddock Township, milking cows and doing chores...
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