«

»

Nov
30

Harju, Neal Raphael 82

Neal Harju passed away at Cokato Manor on November 28, 2014
Funeral Service: 2PM Wednesday December 3, 2014 at First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Dassel
Visitation: 4-8 PM Tuesday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1hr prior to service at church on Wednesday
Prayer Service: 7 PM Tuesday at the funeral home
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery

Neal Raphael Harju, was born on December 23, 1931 in Wing, North Dakota, to John Rudolph and Lydia (Matson) Harju. He grew up on the farm in Wing and attended country school. Neal graduated from Bismarck High School in 1950. After high school Neal spent two years in the United States Army and served in Massachusetts, the Carolinas and Germany. While still in the service, Neal met June Lehtinen of Fitchburg, Massachusetts and they were married on March 20, 1954 by Reverend Reino Kallio, in Fitchburg.

After military service Neal and June moved to Cokato, where Neal found work at the Harkman Tire Service. In 1966, Neal and his brother Bill Harju purchased the tire shop from Carl Harkman. Neal retired in 1994.

Neal was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cokato. He cherished time spent with all of his family and dear christian friends.

Neal passed away at the Cokato Manor on November 28, 2014. He had reached the age of 82 years, 11 months and 5 days.

Survivors include: Wife June of Cokato, Daughters: Joanne (Gary) Chamberlain of Cokato, Linda (Dennis) Samuelson of Cokato and Maria Harju of Howard Lake. Grand children: Tara (Timm) Hagen, Sheila Chamberlain, Erin (Kevin) Parenteau, Jessi (Mike) Hauan, Kelsey Chamberlain, Derrek (Amanda) Harju, Jaden Samuelson. Great grand children: Akadia Hagen, Austin Hagen, Alana Hagen, Noah Parenteau, Jolynn Hauan and Brooke Hauan. Sisters: Eunice (Frank) Korpi of Mountain Iron, MN. And Judy (Arlin) Hogenson of Fairbanks Alaska. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Neal was preceded in death by: his parents John Rudolph and Lydia, grandson Brandon Chamberlain, great-granddaughter Aubrey Parenteau, Sisters Lillian Harju, Ellen Bailey, and Martha Bailey. And brothers: Bill, Vernon, Hubert, and Otto.