Roy H. Yliniemi

FUNERAL SERVICES : 2 PM Saturday, Feburary 15, 2014 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN VISITATION: Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church and also one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. ROY HENRY YLINIEMI MARCH 24, 1929 - February 7, 2014 Roy Henry Yliniemi, age 84 of Menahga, MN, passed away on February 7, 2014 at the Veterans Home Village in Fergus Falls, MN.Roy was born on March 24, 1929 to Isacki (Ike) and Aili (Haanpaa) Yliniemi on the family farm in Toad Lake Township of Becker Co., MN. As a boy, he attended the Toad Lake Country School near his home and helped on his family"s farm. As a young man, Roy ventured to Seattle, WA where he worked machine jobs during the winter months. In 1953, Roy entered the United States Army where he served for two years during the Korean War. He fondly remembered the Army"s training of winter survival skills in the Mountains of Colorado. After receiving his honorable discharge in 1955, Roy worked in Minneapolis before returning to farming on the Ponsford Prairie. He was united in marriage to Hazel Mickelson from Perth, North Dakota on September 16, 1960 in East Grand Forks, MN. This union was blessed with five children: Diane, Donna, Kenneth, Anna and Anita. He and Hazel both earned their GEDs from Park Rapids High School before their children began attending school. Roy dairy farmed until 1977 and then began a career working for the Snappy-Standex Corporation in Detroit Lakes for 14 years until his retirement in 1991. Roy"s life was deeply saddened by the death of his wife in 1992. In 1999, Roy moved into Menahga where he resided until June of 2013 when he moved into the Veterans Home. He enjoyed speaking Finnish with his brothers and sisters and anyone else who could speak the "heavenly" language. A most memorable experience was visiting Finland in 1991 with his wife. In his retirement, Roy kept busy doing woodwork, driving the Menahga senior center bus, reading the paper, mowing the lawn, plowing snow, and visiting family and friends. For many years he had served as the Pine Point Township Clerk and was active in the Minnesota Finnish American Historical Society. He was a member of the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake and also had attended the Ponsford Community Church for many years, His family draws great comfort in knowing that Roy gave his life to Christ in the early years of his marriage and is now present with the Lord in Heaven.He will be lovingly remembered by his five children: Diane Yliniemi of Rochester, MN, Donna Yliniemi of Menahga, Kenneth Yliniemi of Long Beach, CA, Anna (Rick) Dabill of Baxter, MN and Anita (Brent) Griffeth of Spooner, WI; five siblings: Helen Laine of Detroit Lakes, MN, Elmer (Miriam) Yliniemi, Hazel Yliniemi and Hulda (Bruce) Sannes all of Frazee, MN and Patricia (Arlan) Ervasti of Bertha, MN; his five beloved grandchildren: Ailiana, Eva and Brant Dabill and Genavieve and Spenser Griffeth; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; his parents, his brother, James Edward Yliniemi (December 8, 2013); three siblings who died in infancy and his brother-in-law, Art Laine.Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake with Rev. Dennis Hannu and Rev. Elmer Yliniemi officiating. The organist will be Deborah Aho. Soloist will be Tim Mickelson singing "How Great Thou Art". Casket bearers will be nephews: Roger Yliniemi, Tim Mickelson, Davin Sannes, Isak Yliniemi, Arden Laine and Jason Ervasti. Military honors will be provided by the Star of the North Marine Corps League with burial at the Pickeral Lake Cemetery near Wolf Lake. Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Friday, Feb. 14th at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church with a service of singing and sharing at 6 PM. Visitation will also be held at the church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Following the service, Dinner will be hosted by the church. To view the video tribute and to leave on line condolences please visit www.cardinipearson.com