Gary L Harju

Funeral service for Gary Lee Harju, 64, of Palo, will be 1:30pm Monday, November 24, 2014 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Pastor Brendan Johnston officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00pm Sunday at the funeral home and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Gary died suddenly Thursday, November 20, 2014 at his residence. He was born December 12, 1949 in Biwabik, MN to Lauri and Mabel (Heikkila) Harju. Gary was a 1968 graduate of Biwabik High School and later served with the US Army in Germany. He re-enlisted and served during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his military service, he married Marsha Miller. Gary began working for Minnesota Power and Light prior to working for Erie Mining Company. He retired from LTV Steel at the time of its closure as a service truck driver. In 2002 he married Margaret Makela. Gary was a member of the Aurora American Legion, the Hoyt Lakes VFW Post and a member of various bowling and golf leagues. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; children: Anna (Jason) Bennett of Aurora, Bobbie Porisch of Aurora and Kristy (Jen Maish) Stavnes of Aurora; step-sons: Toby (Heather) Juntunen of Farmington and Joshua Juntunen of Lakeville; grandchildren: Sean, Morgan, Samantha, Isaac, Jacob and Hayley; siblings: Roger Harju of Virginia, Dale (Patti) Harju of Aurora and Donnie (Lori) Harju of Palo; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.