Obituary of Ragnar Leonard Rahja

Ragnar Leonard Rahja, 78 a lifelong resident of Floodwood died Friday, January 4, 2002 in Community Memorial Nursing Home in Cloquet. He was born May 13, 1923 in Floodwood to Erick and Sanna (Hietala) Rahja. He attended Floodwood schools. On February 16, 1944, Ragnar married Aune Louhela. He was an Army Veteran of WWII. After the war, Ragnar farmed in Van Buren Township and did other jobs, including working at the Floodwood Coop Feed Mill. In 1952 he began working for the Great Northern Railroad, which later became the Burlington Northern. He worked there for 34 years, retiring in 1986. Ragnar was a member of NARVE and AARP. He was a life member of the Floodwood VFW. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 sisters, one brother and a granddaughter, Jennelle Rahja in 1982. Ragnar is survived by his wife of 58 years, Aune of Floodwood; daughters, Donna (Tom) Farrell and Beverly (Gary) Kjoberg both of Floodwood, Delores (Leo) Ojibway of Esko and Diane Rahja of Burnsville; sons, Dale (Margaret) of Grand Rapids, James (Lee) of Cloquet, Robert (Pam) and Steven both of Floodwood; a sister, Irene Koskela of Duluth; cousins Hazel Lund of Costa Mesa, California and Don Hietala of Sun City, Arizona; 15 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 8, 2002 in Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood. Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery in Van Buren Township. Military Honors were accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet.