Gary  Ojanen Sr.

Obituary of Gary Michael Ojanen Sr.

Gary Michael Ojanen Sr. 

 

Gary ‘The Handyman’ Ojanen, was born May 12, 1958 to Alvin and Violet Ojanen in Duluth Mn. Gary passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the age of 64. 

 

Gary graduated from Proctor High School in 1977.  He loved the outdoors, and hunting was his passion especially up at “The Farm”, where he shot numerous deer over the course of his life.  He started work for UPS, and numerous jobs before landing a job at Potlatch for more than 20 years. After that, he found his true calling of helping others by becoming a local handyman. 

 

In the last 20 years he built a successful business with numerous friends (clients) with work that ranged from painting, snow removal, yard work, finish carpentry and anything that his clients might have needed. He sure was the handyman of the community. 

 

One of his greatest joys was to be able to socialize with others and tell stories.  Gary had an unbelievable memory and could recite stories and facts from many years prior. Nothing would get Gary more excited though, than to tell everyone that would listen about his kids.  He wanted everyone to know that his kids were doing well and how proud he was of them. 

 

Gary would want everyone to know “he is doing fine” and “he has a lot of life to live”, he will continue to do that in heaven. God needed a handyman and a storyteller; he knew Gary was the perfect guy. 

 

Gary is survived by his children, sons; Gary (Melanie) Ojanen, Jeff (Nikki) Ojanen; daughter, Katie (Jon) Beck; brothers, David (Louise), Don (Paulette), and Ed;

grandchildren Cody, Kaylee, Eleanor, Stella, Quinn, and Lilly; the mother of his children, Teri (Keith) Klosner.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Christian Ojanen. 

 

Visitation: 11:00 a.m. until the noon funeral service on Friday, May 5, 2023 in Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. A luncheon will follow the service in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery at 2:45 p.m.  To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute see, www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

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Friday
5
May

Visitation

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, May 5, 2023
Atkins Northland Funeral Home
801 14th Street
Cloquet, Minnesota, United States
218-879-7184
Friday
5
May

Funeral Service

12:00 pm
Friday, May 5, 2023
Atkins Northland Funeral Home
801 14th Street
Cloquet, Minnesota, United States
218-879-7184
Friday
5
May

Burial

2:45 pm
Friday, May 5, 2023
Maple Grove Cemetery
Poplar Ave
Cloquet, Minnesota, United States
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