Roger Pihlaja

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 AM Monday, Decmber 29, 2008 at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman, MN with the Reverend Edward Behling officiating. VISITATION : Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 28 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. INTERMENT : Pihlaja family plot at the Snellman Cemetery SURVIVORS: His wife of 36 years, Linda; his daughter, Jane Dolan of Illinois; his two sons: Joseph (Krista) Pihlaja of Pocatello, Idaho and Jerry Pihlaja of Chaska, MN; three grandchildren: Kenny, Katie and Kristoffer all of Illinois; his parents: Elmer and Rose Pihlaja of Osage, MN; his four sisters: Kathy Lowe of Layton, Utah, Linda (Tony) Harris of Osage; Judy (Russ) Mattson of Osage; and Sandy (Craig) Stilke of Detroit Lakes, MN as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. ROGER ALLAN PIHLAJAFebruary 26, 1948 " December 24, 2008 Roger Allan Pihlaja, age 60, a life time Snellman/Ponsford, MN area resident, passed away peacefully at his home near Snellman with his loved ones at his side. Roger died following a valiant battle against cancer on December 24, 2008 and spent his Christmas with the Lord. Roger was born on February 26, 1948 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Elmer and Rose (Jellum) Pihlaja. As a boy, he attended the Shell Lake Country School near his home through the sixth grade. He went on to attend Junior and Senior High School in Frazee, MN through the tenth grade and then finished his last two years of high school in Park Rapids, MN where he graduated in 1966. During his school years, Roger enjoyed competing in wrestling on both the Frazee and Park Rapids teams. After high school, Roger gained employment working construction for John Racer and later for a construction company in the Twin Cities. From 1968 " 1970, Roger proudly served his country in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and resumed his career in construction. On July 1st, 1972, Roger was united in marriage to Linda Ruth Gartner at St. Peters Catholic Church in Park Rapids. This union was blessed with three children: Jane, Joseph and Jerold. Roger was a dedicated and talented employee and worked his way up the ladder to become a construction carpenter foreman. He spent many years building bridges and tunnels in the Duluth, MN area. His final working years were spent with the Ames Construction Company until his illness kept him from returning to work this summer. Roger loved to fly and had built his own Banty Single engine aircraft. After earning his private pilots license in July of 2007, he bought his Cessna 150 and later a 172. He loved the freedom and beauty of God"s creation he experienced every time he flew. He was very gifted in working with his hands and enjoyed repairing and rebuilding all types of machinery and equipment. Roger had built and operated his own sawmill for many years. He had designed and built his own home and outbuildings where he and Linda raised their family and have resided for over thirty years. Roger was a lifetime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church near his home. Above all, Roger devoted his entire life to his loving wife, Linda. His love for his three children was celebrated in being proudly involved in their sports, recreational and other family activities. Roger also adored his three grandchildren: Kenny, Katie and Kristoffer He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 36 years, Linda; his daughter, Jane Dolan of Illinois; his two sons: Joseph (Krista) Pihlaja of Pocatello, Idaho and Jerry Pihlaja of Chaska, MN; three grandchildren: Kenny, Katie and Kristoffer all of Illinois; his parents: Elmer and Rose Pihlaja of Osage, MN; his four sisters: Kathy Lowe of Layton, Utah, Linda (Tony) Harris of Osage; Judy (Russ) Mattson of Osage; and Sandy (Craig) Stilke of Detroit Lakes, MN as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. Roger was preceded in death by his brother, Lyle at age 11; nephew and niece, Joshua and Rachel Mattson; his mother-in-law, Helen Gartner; his grandparents, and many aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday, Decmber 29, 2008 at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman, MN with the Reverend Edward Behling officiating. The pianist will be Sue Zick. The congregational hymns will be: "Silent Night", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". Roger"s niece, Amanda Gartner will sing, "On Eagles Wings". Military Honors will be provided by the Star of the North Marine Corps League and the Wolf Lake VFW Post. Interment will be made in the Pihlaja family plot at the Snellman Cemetery. The active casketbearers will be: Reino Hendrickson, Randy Hanson, Ray Gartner, Robert Gartner, Fred Ruzynski, Rick Myrum, Wyatt Jepson, and Tim Clements. Honorary casketbearers will be: Roger"s Grandchildren, his Brothers-in-law, Co-workers and friends. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Sunday December 28 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.