Maria Magdalene Jarvi

Maria Magdalene (Nevala) Jarvi passed away peacefully on July 20, 2023, with her family by her side. Maria was born December 17th, 1933 to Leonard and Hinni (Alajoki) Nevala. Growing up Mia’s fondest memories were picking blueberries with siblings, having picnics and eating Ice Cream Cones on the way home as a treat. Mia attended church and was confirmed from the Sebeka Apostolic Lutheran Church. She graduated from Sebeka High School with the class of 1951. She then worked for General Mills and the United States Air Force until October of 1959. In the fall of 1956, she met the love of her life, Raymond Rudolph Jarvi, while attending a church youth gathering in Cokato, MN. Raymond and Maria were united in marriage on April 20, 1957, at Runeberg Apostolic Lutheran Church, Menahga MN. They made their first home in Minneapolis, MN until the fall of 1972. After they purchased her family farm, they then relocated their family to Sebeka, MN. There they raised their children with dignity, love, and respect. Mia enjoyed the time spent with her nephews and nieces, like sliding on the back hill at her home farm, or when they came for deer hunting, and she would mention to other visitors how nice it was that they had stopped by to spend time with her and Ray. In 1976 Mia started working at the Green Pine Acres Nursing home and retired from the nursing home in 1997. Mia enjoyed her retirement with Ray, attending church services and church activities until health issues limited them to being homebound and listening online with the occasional home service in their home. Mia worked and helped with many fundraisers and was a part of many committees while attending the Westside Laestadian Lutheran Church. Mia and Ray also did some traveling, but mainly spent time with their family, grandchildren, and friends. Preceding Maria in death was her husband of 62 years Raymond, infant son Lawrence Allen; and infant granddaughter Mikaela Gabrielle, Parents Leonard and Hinni Nevala, brothers Peter Nevala, Paul (Martha) Nevala, Sisters Hinni (Kenneth) Janckila, Naemi (Ernest) Huhta, Brother-in-Law Harvey Skoog, and Nephew Alan Nevala. She is survived by her sons Daniel (Joy) of Sebeka, Peter (Janelle) of Menahga, Mark of Sebeka, grandchildren Tyler (Jessica), Meagan (CJ), Madison, Raegan, Anton, Mason and Lars, great-grandchildren Asher, Oaklynn and Everett, Sisters Thelma (Reino) Lehto, Miriam Nevala, Edna Skoog, Sisters-in-law, Evelyn Nevala and Clara Nevala, Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Brothers and Sisters in Faith. Friday, July 28th 2023 Memorial Service - Laestadian Lutheran Church Visitation 5:00 to 8:00 pm Memorial at 7:00 pm with Pastor Richard Nevala Saturday, July 29th 2023 The Last Service of Love for Maria Magdalene Jarvi Laestadian Lutheran Church 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour Prior to Service with Pastor Jon Bloomquist Pallbearers: Daniel Jarvi, Anton Jarvi, Peter Jarvi, Tyler Jarvi, Mark Jarvi, Mason Jarvi, Lars Jarvi, and Kenneth Janckila Honorary Pallbearers: Meagan Jarvi, Jessica Jarvi, Madison Jarvi, and Raegan Jarvi Interment will be at Red Eye Cemetery.