ROBERT ELIAS AHO
August 28, 1965 ~ July 9, 2012 

Robert Elias Aho, age 46 of North Branch, MN tragically entered eternity on Monday, July 9, 2012 at the Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.
Bob was born on August 28, 1965 in Park Rapids, MN to Elias and Hazel (Koskela) Aho. He grew up on his parents hog farm near Wolf Lake, MN and attended all 13 years of his public education in Menahga where he was a stand out athlete. He graduated from the Menahga Public High School with the Class of 1983. He then went on to attend Wahpeton State School of Science where he wrestled. He later attended Moorhead State University where he also wrestled. On August 19, 1986, Bob was married to Kris Blom and they were blessed with 1 daughter, Amber Josie Anna. Bob worked for the Park Rapids Public School system in the Special Education department and also as a wrestling coach. In the early 1990’s, Bob united his heart with Kimberly Hjermstad and they were blessed with 2 daughters: Sammy Jo and Brie Noelle. He later gained employment working for the State Chemical Company for several years. In 2009, Bob met Mary Rose Larson and they were married on April 17, 2010 in Isanti, MN. Bob’s working career was fulfilled though his employment with the Ratner Steel Company in Minneapolis. Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid bow hunter. He also enjoyed hunting waterfowl and pheasants and took special pride in training his own hunting dogs. Bob enjoyed music and especially enjoyed listening to worship and praise music. Throughout his lifetime, Bob loved to play softball, working out and keeping physically fit. He also enjoyed family gatherings and following the MN Twins and Vikings. Above all, Bob devoted his life to his Lord and Savior, his wife, children, parents and siblings who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Mary of North Branch, MN; his 3 much loved daughters: Amber (Kyle Dehn) Aho of Dayton, MN, Sammy Jo Aho and Brie Aho both of Cottage Grove, MN; his 2 step-children: Ryan and Erica Rothmeyer both of North Branch, MN; his parents, Elias and Hazel Aho of Menahga, MN; 2 sisters: Catherine (Karl) Sagedahl of East Bethel, MN and Pamela Aho of North Branch, MN; 2 brothers: Daniel (Lori) Aho of Harris, MN and Anthony (Rhonda) Aho of Stanchfield, MN; his beloved grandmother, Elsie (Mummu) Aho of Menahga, MN; his precious nieces and nephews: Trent and Tarah (Derek Nolan) and Lindsay Sagedahl, Megan and Jenna Aho, Thomas and Kelsey Kinsella; as well as many aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hugo Elias Aho and William and Ethel Koskela; his uncles: Reuben Aho and Edwin Koskela.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN with Reverend Don Salo and Reverend Elmer Yliniemi officiating. Ruth Horner and Patricia Aho will be the organists. The soloist is Char Horner and she will sing “I Can Only Imagine”, “Mountain of God” and “Cry Out to Jesus”. Tyrone and Jamin Aho will also be singing “Amazing Grace”. The congregational hymns will be “Jeesuksen Syntymä  – Finnish Hymn” and “God Be with You til We Meet Again”. The casketbearers will be: Daniel Aho, Anthony Aho, Karl Sagedahl, Trent Sagedahl, Thomas Kinsella, Derek Nolan, Ryan Rothmeyer and Kyle Dehn. The honorary casketbearers will be: Amber Aho, Sammy Jo Aho, Brie Aho, Erica Rothmeyer, Tarah Nolan, Megan Aho, Lindsay Sagedahl, Jenna Aho and Kelsey Kinsella. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00 P.M. on Friday, July 13, 2012 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.