Services for Arlan Koskela
Tue, 02/15/2022 - 4:42pm
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Arlan Koskela, 83, of Plummer, MN passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN, surrounded by his loving family.
Arlan Vernon Koskela was born to John William Koskela and Florence (Asp) Koskela at his home in Plummer, MN on October 30, 1938. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church and attended school in Plummer, graduating from Pershing High School in 1956. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer where he was a former church council member and usher.
Arlan was united in marriage to Gerda Kvasager at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN on July 30, 1960. Together they had three children, Dean, Debra, and Dixie. The couple made their home in Plummer where they owned and operated a dairy and grain farm from 1963-2012. Arlan worked for the Plummer School District as a custodian and bus driver from 1959-1978. He was also employed by Hydra-Mac and the Watershed District. In 1991, they were selected as Red Lake County’s Farm Family of the Year.
Arlan enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing cards, four-wheeling, having coffee at the creamery, and visiting with family and friends. He liked spending time with his grandsons and cherished all the time they had together. He loved relaxing on the swing and going for evening drives with Gerda, the love of his life. Arlan had a great sense of humor and enjoyed bringing a smile to everyone he met. He was always willing to help those in need. He was kind, caring, and loved beyond measure.
Arlan is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gerda; children Dean Koskela, Plummer, MN, Debra (Carmen) Walter, Moorhead, MN, and Dixie Bosch, Fargo, ND; grandchildren Matthew and Nathan Walter, Conner and Regan Arlan Bosch; sisters Elaine Peterson and Wanda (Clyde) Opdahl; brothers-in-law Goodwin (Lucille) Kvasager and Einar (Carol) Kvasager; sisters-in-law Anne Manthei and Helga Nissen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Carol Koskela; son-in-law Brad Bosch; brothers-in-law Edward Arntson, Edward Peterson, Ole Kvasager, Jr., Bjarne (Viola) Kvasager, Otto (Donna) Kvasager, Arne Kvasager, Milton Manthei, and Maurice Nissen; sister-in-law Annie Kvasager (infant); and many aunts, uncles, a nephew, cousins, and close friends.
We are incredibly grateful to the kind and caring staff at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN and Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND.
A service to honor Arlan will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN, with Reverend Jonathan Dodson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Finnish Cemetery in Plummer, MN.
