Harold Charlie Haataja

Harold Charlie Haataja age 79, of rural Menahga, MN died peacefully at home on Tuesday December 30 2014. Harold was born to Carl and Hilda (Koskela) Haataja on March 15, 1935 in Wolf Lake Township, Becker County, MN where he was raised. Harold graduated from Menahga High School and following his graduation, held a number of positions; working on the Iron Range in the mining industry, serving in the Army (stationed both in the United States and Korea, and working in manufacturing in the Twin Cities area, primarily at K-P Industries. On October 7, 1961 Harold was united in marriage to Laila Yliniemi and the couple made their home in Minneapolis, MN In the Spring of 1999 Harold and Laila retired and moved to a farm in rural Menahga where Harold was able to resume his love of farming. Harold is survived by two sons, Brian Haataja and his wife Debbie of Osage, MN; Douglas Haataja and his wife Julie of Princeton, MN; daughter, Pamela Peterson and her husband David of Burnsville, MN; fourteen grandchildren: Ann, Valerie, Corinne, Patricia, Joy, Charles, Crystal, Joshua, Jacob, Marie, Dylan, Laura, Kevin, Andrew; great grandchildren: Case, Wyatt, Klaira, MiKayla, Lukas; also many nieces, nephews, cousins, and Brothers and Sisters in Faith. He is preceded in death by his wife Laila, his parents, one infant son, three brothers and one sister. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Runeberg Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Menahga with Pastor Lowell Skoog officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Balmi Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka, MN.