Vernon Reino Koskela

FUNERAL SERVICES: 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Sebeka Apostolic Lutheran Church with Reverend Art Skoog officiatingVISITATION: Visitation will be held at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN from 5 to 8 P.M. on Friday, April 24, 2009INTERMENT: Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS: Vern is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen; as well as a host of nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends. VERNON REINO KOSKELA March 9, 1924 " April 20, 2009Vernon Reino Koskela, age 85 of Menahga, MN passed away Monday, April 20, 2009 at Green Pine Acres in Menahga. Vernon was born on March 9, 1924 in Wolf Lake Township, west of Menahga, to John and Katie (Hillukka) Koskela. He attended country school in Dist. # 72-2 near his home. As a young man, Vern helped on his family"s dairy farm, taking over its operation and management after his father"s death. He was united in marriage to Helen A. Haverinen on May 28, 1952, in Blueberry Township, near Menahga. Vern and Helen dairy farmed, until they sold the farm in 1976, and moved to Menahga. He continued to crop farm on the Ponsford Prairie until 2001. Vern served on the Menahga City Council for 20 years as Council member and Mayor. He was on the Green Pine Acres Board of Directors for 25 years. He had also served on the Wolf Lake Township Board for several years. Vern enjoyed carpentry as well as woodworking. He was a member of the Sebeka Apostolic Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; four sisters: Lena, Edith, Lydia, and Jeannie; and his five brothers: Nestor, Bill, Walter, Richard, and Edward. Vern is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen; as well as a host of nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Sebeka Apostolic Lutheran Church with Reverend Art Skoog officiating. The organist will be Patty Isaacson. Casketbearers will be Ken Koskela, Duane Salmen, Leroy Koskela, Ed Frith, Gerald Koskela, and Tim Salmen. Interment was in the Koskela family plot at the Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN. Visitation will be held at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN from 5 to 8 P.M. on Friday, April 24, 2009. Arrangements provided by the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home serving Menahga and Sebeka, MN.