Marian Bessie Juntunen

Bessie Marian Juntunen, age 86, of Menahga, MN died Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Marian was born and raised on a farm near Perth, North Dakota, the youngest of 11 children born to Otto and Lydia (Koski) Herrala on January 27, 1924. She attended Monroe country school grades 1 through 8 and helped with house and farm chores along with her siblings. She was united in marriage to Reno Juntunen on November 6, 1941 at her parents’ farm home in Towner County, ND. Four daughters were born to them: Carole, Marlene, Loraine, and Barbara. Reno and Marian were grain farmers near Hansboro, ND. After retiring in 1982, they moved to Menahga, closer to their children, where they have since lived. Marian returned to school later in life to earn her GED in 1989. Marian was a loving mother and grandmother, who enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, sewing and handwork. She was a faithful farm wife who took care of all the household duties along with yard work and helping her husband with field chores whenever needed. In retirement they traveled, and she enjoyed a lifetime hobby of making quilts. She and Reno always enjoyed entertaining family and friends for meals and overnight visits and happily welcomed drop in visitors. She was a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga. Marian is survived by her husband, Reno Juntunen of Menahga; four daughters, Carole (Gene) Groff of Bloomington, MN; Marlene Lake of Wolf Lake, MN; Loraine (Gordon) Kumpula of Loretto, MN; Barbara (Lawrence) Byman of Longview, WA; 26 grandchildren and 86 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Lydia Herrala, sisters, Anna, Melma, Aune, Edna and Senia, brothers, Henry, Heino, Alfred, Otto and David, son-in law Rodney Lake and grandson Lannon Lake. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, June 4, 2010 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga, MN with Pastor Jon Bloomquist officiating. Ben Huhta will serve as organist with congregational singing. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga and one hour prior to the service at the church. Prayer service will be at 7:00 PM with Pastor Steven Kallinen. Active Casketbearers are her grandsons Darren Groff, Leland Lake, Allen Lake, Daniel Lake, Josh Byman and Travis Byman. Interment will be at Balmi Cemetery, Wolf Lake, MN with Pastor Darwin Lake offering the committal.