Obituary for DONALD ALAN HARJU
Donald Alan Harju, 74, lifelong Suomi Location resident, went to be with his forever friend, Jesus, in Heaven on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee.
Don was born April 13, 1946 in Negaunee to Sulo and Gertrude (Marjonen) Harju and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1964. After graduation, he attended Suomi College for Ministry for one year before God called on him to enlist in the United States Marines, having served two tours walking point during the Vietnam War from 1965-69. Following his service to his country, Don was united in marriage to Chris Aho on September 26, 1970 and together they raised three children.
Don was self-employed as a third-generation logger, having started working in the woods with his father at age five. Between logging jobs, he also worked in the excavating business. He was a lifelong member of Community Lutheran Church, Suomi Location. Don was proud of his 45 years of sobriety and loved helping other AA members and those suffering from PTSD.
In his free time, Don enjoyed being in the outdoors, picking blueberries and apples, tinkering in his shop and garage and playing in the dirt with his backhoe and dump truck. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren.
Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Chris Harju; two sons: Paul and Don (Becky) Harju, both of Ishpeming; daughter, Becky Watson of Atlanta; three grandchildren: Cody (Abigail) Harju of Ishpeming; Deja Watson of Korea and R’Sheed Watson of Florida; his great-grandson, Colton Alan Harju; two sisters: Joann (Wayne) Connors of Negaunee and Paula (Al) Rautio of Palmer; his brother, Mike (Cindi) Harju of Negaunee Township; son-in-law, Elton Watson; brothers-in-law, Chuck (Kristie) and Earl (Beth) Aho; special friend, Jean Laituri; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Dennis, Dwayne and Sulo Harju, Jr.; mother- and father-in-law, Gladys and Walt Aho, Sr.; and a brother-in-law, Walt Aho, Jr.
Memorial Services and Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18th at Community Lutheran Church with Virginia Paulson, LLM, officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Services will be held outdoors, so people are encouraged to bring a chair. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Community Lutheran Church in Don’s memory.
His memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Don was born April 13, 1946 in Negaunee to Sulo and Gertrude (Marjonen) Harju and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1964. After graduation, he attended Suomi College for Ministry for one year before God called on him to enlist in the United States Marines, having served two tours walking point during the Vietnam War from 1965-69. Following his service to his country, Don was united in marriage to Chris Aho on September 26, 1970 and together they raised three children.
Don was self-employed as a third-generation logger, having started working in the woods with his father at age five. Between logging jobs, he also worked in the excavating business. He was a lifelong member of Community Lutheran Church, Suomi Location. Don was proud of his 45 years of sobriety and loved helping other AA members and those suffering from PTSD.
In his free time, Don enjoyed being in the outdoors, picking blueberries and apples, tinkering in his shop and garage and playing in the dirt with his backhoe and dump truck. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren.
Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years, Chris Harju; two sons: Paul and Don (Becky) Harju, both of Ishpeming; daughter, Becky Watson of Atlanta; three grandchildren: Cody (Abigail) Harju of Ishpeming; Deja Watson of Korea and R’Sheed Watson of Florida; his great-grandson, Colton Alan Harju; two sisters: Joann (Wayne) Connors of Negaunee and Paula (Al) Rautio of Palmer; his brother, Mike (Cindi) Harju of Negaunee Township; son-in-law, Elton Watson; brothers-in-law, Chuck (Kristie) and Earl (Beth) Aho; special friend, Jean Laituri; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Dennis, Dwayne and Sulo Harju, Jr.; mother- and father-in-law, Gladys and Walt Aho, Sr.; and a brother-in-law, Walt Aho, Jr.
Memorial Services and Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18th at Community Lutheran Church with Virginia Paulson, LLM, officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Services will be held outdoors, so people are encouraged to bring a chair. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Community Lutheran Church in Don’s memory.
His memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.