Eli Niemi

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 17, 2011 at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN.VISITATION : 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M; and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.INTERMENT : Pickerel Lake Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS : His wife for nearly 52 years, Diane; his daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Olson of Osage, MN; 2 sons: Terry Niemi of Detroit Lakes, MN and Brian (Beth) Niemi of Frazee, MN; 3 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 1 great grandchild and 3 step-great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Danny (Josie) Niemi of Ponsford, MN and Lee (Renee) Niemi of Osage, MN; 3 sisters, Mary Ann Pevic of Osage, MN, Kathleen (Marce) Helland of Detroit Lakes, MN and Annette (Joel) Wimmer of St. Cloud, MN. ELI ARNIE NIEMIAugust 7, 1939 ~ June 13, 2011 Eli Arnie Niemi, age 71 of Osage, MN died June 13, 2011 at his home with his loved ones caring for him. The Hospice of the Red River Valley gave the family moral and medical support during his time of need. Eli was born on August 7, 1939 to Evalt and Tekla (Yoki) Niemi near Snellman, MN. He attended country school in Carsonville and Toad Lake Townships and went on to attend Frazee High School. He was united in marriage to Diane L. Patchin on June 21, 1959. This union was blessed with three children: Cheryl, Terry and Brian. They lived in Chicago, IL for 14 years, where Eli worked as a heavy equipment operator on the construction of the main expressways; such as the Dan Ryan, the Kennedy and the Eisenhower as well as the tollroads. Later, he returned with his family to the Osage area and worked as a heavy equipment operator in and around Fargo, ND and the Iron Range. Eli was vested in the Heavy Equipment Operators Union in July of 1971 and remained in the Union until his retirement in 2002. He was still a member of the Local 49"ers at the time of his death. Eli loved the out of doors and especially enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was gifted in working with his hands and enjoyed building and fixing things. He built his own home on Big Toad Lake and enjoyed living on the lakeshore. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and going to coffee with the guys at Snellman. In the 1960"s, he enjoyed taking trips throughout the United States with his family. Each spring he looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden and also raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to enjoy. He also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and ducks that graced his lake property. He was a member of the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN. Above all, Eli dedicated his life to his wife, children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. Eli will be lovingly remembered by his wife for nearly 52 years, Diane; his daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Olson of Osage, MN; 2 sons: Terry Niemi of Detroit Lakes, MN and Brian (Beth) Niemi of Frazee, MN; 3 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 1 great grandchild and 3 step-great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Danny (Josie) Niemi of Ponsford, MN and Lee (Renee) Niemi of Osage, MN; 3 sisters, Mary Ann Pevic of Osage, MN, Kathleen (Marce) Helland of Detroit Lakes, MN and Annette (Joel) Wimmer of St. Cloud, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evalt and Tekla Niemi and his grandparents. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 17, 2011 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN with Pastor Dennis Hannu and Pastor Elmer Yliniemi officiating. Congregational Hymns will be: "Beyond the Sunset", "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden". Active casketbearers will be: Terry Niemi, Levi Niemi, Brian Niemi, Reino Hendrickson, Tom Weets and Mark Olson. Honorary bearers will be: Cheryl Olson, Beth Niemi, Nicholas Olson, Amber Niemi, Patrick Voleski and Terry Allen Weiss. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be held at the Pickerel Lake Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN.