Doris Harvala 1924 – 2024
Doris Josephine Harvala, age 100, of Park Rapids, Minn., formerly of Wolf Lake Township near Osage, passed away on October 24, 2024 at Heritage Living Nursing Home in Park Rapids Minnesota.
Doris was born August 8, 1924, in Runeberg Township of Becker County near Menahga Minn.. As a young girl, Doris moved with her family to a farm in Spruce Grove Township and attended District #75 Country School. She was baptized and confirmed in her faith as a youth at Bethany Lutheran Church, where she remained a member for her entire life. As a young woman, Doris did housekeeping and child care for several area families.
On October 6 of 1946, Doris was united in marriage to Rueben L Harvala. This union was blessed with five children: Dianne, Larry, Janice, Kathy, and Kristi. She devoted her life to caring for her family and spent her days cleaning, cooking, and sewing to provide for her family. Each spring she would plant a large vegetable garden, that she would tend and nurture, along with her beautiful flower gardens. Doris always enjoyed country life and had a deep love for nature. She was an avid animal lover and had many cats and dogs over the years. Doris was fond of music, puzzles, reading, and playing many games, most of all Scrabble. Above all, Doris dedicated her life to the happiness of her family, of whom she loved with all her heart.
Doris is survived by her children: Larry Harvala (wife Mary) of Osage, Janice Johnson (husband Ron) of Hutchinson, Kathy Totushek (husband Scott) of Silver Lake, and Kristi Lofgren (husband Brian) of Rush City; 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, as follows: Rachael Fulkerson (Paul), Rogers, children John and Joe; Sara Thulin, St Paul, children Jordan, Nick (Alyssa, children Ellie and Jacob), Devyn; Nikki Mackedanz (Matt), Hutchinson, children Jayden and Dawson; Melissa Koch (Kyle), Sebeka, son Clinton; Adam Harvala (Kasey), Fargo ND, children Joshua, Miriam, Emilie and Victoria; Kim Jacobson (Andrew), Hutchinson, children Skylyn, Tuker, and Bekett; Paul Harvala, Mandan ND; Jeremy Johnson (Leigha), Hutchinson, children Sawyer and Maguire; Tony Totushek (Kayla), Hutchinson; Daniel Harvala (Tawni), Grand Forks ND, children Alex, Logan, Mari and Oskar; Derek Totushek, Silver Lake; Emelia Hutcheson, Rush City; Erin Hutcheson, Anoka; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Doris is proceeded in death by her parents, Gotfred and Emelia Westerberg; father/mother-in-law Andrew and Alma Harvala; spouse Rueben Harvala; daughter Dianne Nordstrom; son-in-law Dwight Nordstrom; sisters Alice Blakeman, Ella Bergstrom; brothers Howard, Lloyd, Lowell, Raymond, twin brother Donald and baby Marvin.
Funeral services were held October 29, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Menahga.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jones Pearson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.jonespearson.com
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