Alan Hendrick Nevala

Alan Hendrick Nevala was born December 15, 1961 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Paul and Martha Nevala as the second of 12 children. Alan spent the early part of his life in the Minneapolis area. While in Minneapolis, he served as a dispatcher at the IDS building and lived with his brother David and his family. In 1999, Alan accepted a position at Cross USA in Sebeka, Minnesota, as a database programmer, to where he then moved and remained employed until his death on February 20, 2015 at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Alan was an active member of the Menahga Laestadian Lutheran congregation. As countless others, Alan had duties in his congregation wherein he willingly served. Alan, in his life, had interests in many things. He enjoyed diving into details of math and science and spent many hours helping others over the years in their studies. He liked to teach others of the things he had learned and understood. From children’s questions of ‘why the sky is blue’, to complex theories of chemistry and physics, Alan willingly and patiently explained in simple terms, so that others could understand. Children were special to Alan; he noticed them, played with them and they in turn enjoyed the time spent together with him. From a simple smile, to being the horse or the motorcycle, he was an important part of the young ones lives. He was patient with them, and accepted much along the way as a loving uncle. As the children grew up, he challenged them in games of skill, teaching them along the way how to beat him. Alan also loved pets – his lap was always open for them. Pets knew the rules were different when he came to visit, as they knew he would happily let them show their affection for him. Alan liked to fish and hunt and then prepare meals from that which he harvested from the wild. He enjoyed cooking, baking and making meals for others. He lived a simple life with simple needs, trusting that God would provide for each day. To the end, the most important matter in Alan’s life was to remain a child of God, cared for by the Heavenly Father. Alan is survived by his father Paul Nevala and his wife Clara, brother David Nevala and his wife Tarja, Dorothy Nevala, Lauri Nevala and his wife Denise, Tom Nevala, Judy Siltala and her husband Wade, Lisa Kinnunen and her husband Tommi, Rick Nevala and his wife Kathy, Erick Nevala and his wife Cindy, Matt Nevala and his wife Anna-Mari, Jonathan Nevala and his wife Michelle, Jim Nevala and his wife Marjo, 41 nieces and nephews and one great-niece. Alan was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Nevala and niece, Kate Nevala. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 with Visitation Service at 7 PM at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga in Menahga, Minnesota with Randy Hillukka as officiating minister. Ben Huhta will serve as organist. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga in Menahga, Minnesota with Jon Bloomquist as officiating minister. Ben Huhta will serve as organist. Active Casketbearers will be David Nevala, Lauri Nevala, Jonathan Nevala, Daniel Jarvi, Sakari Korpi and Jon Erickson. Honorary Pallbearers are Thomas Nevala, Richard Nevala, Erick Nevala, Matthew Nevala, James Nevala, Wade Siltala, Tommi Kinnunen, Peter Jarvi, Eric Haataja. Interment will be at Hay Creek Cemetery rural Sebeka, Minnesota.