Richard Stanley Saarela

A private family service for Richard Stanley Saarela, 81, of Aurora, will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Richard died Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Essentia Health – Northern Pines in Aurora, MN. Richard was born April 20, 1937 in Virginia, MN to John and Martha (Peuranen) Saarela. Following his schooling he worked for St. Louis County and Partridge Lakes Development in Hoyt Lakes.  He married Joyce Ann Walkama on June 15, 1957 in Palo, and celebrated 61 years of marriage.  That same year he began working for Minnesota Power and retired from there in 1995 as a Utility Worker with 38 years of service. Richard was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with Joyce. He enjoyed working on cars and especially loved his 1976 Plymouth Duster and his 1996 Ford F-150.  Playing guitar and listening to Johnny Cash were also favorite past times.   He was a member of the IBEW Local #31. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; children: Ricky (Joan) Saarela, Kathryn Saarela, Brenda (Lyle) Shamp, Dorine (Jim) Tossava and Barb Larson; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; brother, Alvin (Pat) Wierimaa; sister, Doris Butler; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha; sister, Beverly (Dick) Rossi and brother-in-law, George Butler.