Elmer Thomas Karjalainen, 83, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2014, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2014, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Pastor Deb Grismer, of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, presiding.
Elmer's wishes were to be cremated with interment taking place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen. A luncheon and time of fellowship will immediately follow the service at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Friends may sign his online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.
Elmer Thomas Karjalainen was born on October 10, 1930, to William and Elizabeth (Poykko) Karjalainen in rural Aberdeen, SD. He was raised in this area and attended country school near Frederick, SD.
On December 7, 1951, Elmer enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War until receiving his Honorable Discharge on February 9, 1953.
Elmer was united in marriage to Ruth Hoff, formerly of Linton, ND, in November of 1960, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Barbara and Karen. The family made their home on a farm in the Frederick area. In 1981, they moved to Aberdeen, where Elmer worked at the Super 8 Headquarters and at Northern State University before retiring in 1995. Elmer continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death.
Elmer was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and American Legion. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing and especially enjoyed the time spent with his friends having coffee at McDonald's.
Grateful to have shared in his life are his wife, Ruth Karjalainen of Aberdeen; two daughters: Barbara (Harley) Ulmer of Las Vegas, NV and Karen (Paul) Junkan of Oakdale, MN; four grandchildren; one brother, Fred (Adeline) Karjalainen of Aberdeen; and two sisters-in-law: Sonya Karjalainen of Oakland, CA and Pat Karjalainen of Hot Springs, SD.
Elmer's parents; five brothers: Arne, Reino, Oscar, Art and John; one sister, Mayme Quinn; and one sister-in-law, Edna Karjalainen preceded him in death.
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