Raymond
Filpula, 90
Karlstad
- Raymond W. Filpula, 90, died on Saturday,
November 1, 2003 at the Karlstad Healthcare Center
in Karlstad. Funeral services will be held on
Thursday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. at the Abundant Life
Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor
Wesley Langaas officiating. Casket bearers include
Harry Nelson, Randy Rose, Gary Schroeder, Harold
Maijala, Eugene Filpula and Steve Holm. Interment
will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Middle
River. Military rites will be provided by the
Middle River American Legion Post 444. Visitation
will be held on Wednesday (today) from 4 to 8 p.m.
with a prayer service held at 7 p.m. at the
Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls,
and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Raymond
Walter Filpula was born March 31, 1913 in Middle
River, the son of Samuel and Jenny (Pernula)
Filpula. He was baptized and confirmed at the
Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Middle River
and attended country school near Middle River. Ray
served in the United States Army during World War
II in South Africa, Sicily and Italy.
He
was united in marriage to Nina E. Ryoppy Anderson
in 1952 in Middle River. The couple made their home
in Spruce Valley Township, Marshall County, until
July 1980. They then moved to the Riverside Terrace
in Thief River Falls. Ray farmed since being
Honorably Discharged from the army. He also worked
for Land-O-Lakes during the 1960's and then worked
for Arctic Cat until 1978 where he was a machinist.
Ray
enjoyed working with metal, carpentry work, and
following the Twins. He was especially proud of his
two granddaughters, and enjoyed following their
activities. He was a member of the Finnish
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Middle River, the
First Lutheran Church in Middle River, and Abundant
Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, where he
served on the church council.
Survivors
include his wife Nina of Karlstad; two sons,
Richard (Amy) Filpula of Middle River, and Dr.
David Filpula of Piscataway, N.J.; two
granddaughters; sister-in-law, Martha Ryoppy of
Minneapolis; and several nieces, nephews, relatives
and friends.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; four
brothers, Martin, Arnie, William, and Weslie; and
sisters, Martha Evans and Mayme Jones.
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