Harold H. Savaloja

DEERWOOD — Harold H. Savaloja, 84, Deerwood, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at his home. He slipped away peacefully after a brave two-and-a-half year long battle with melanoma.

He was born Oct. 8, 1928, in Sebeka, Minn., to John and Slema (Wirkkala) Savaloja. He was an alumnus of the Sebeka High School class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Korean War. He was an avid trapper and fur buyer up until the time of his death. His passion for trapping started at the age of 12.

He married Shirley Erckenbrack on Feb. 24, 1952, in Wadena, Minn. Harold and Shirley lived the first part of their married life in Wadena, Minn., then moved to Deerwood, Minn., in 1958. Harold worked as a District Sales Manager of Circulation for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for 33 years.

Harold will be sadly miss and fondly remembered by his wife, Shirley of 60 years; two sons, John (Ginny), of Crosby, and Bruce, of Wamego, Kan.; three daughters, Linda (Bud) Nelson, Deerwood, Minn., Cathy (John) Vidmar, of Buffalo, Minn., and Peggy (Dale) Rosier, of Grand Rapids, Minn.; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond (Bev) Savaloja, of Wadena, Minn.; four sisters-in-law, Ellie Schorsch, of New Hampshire, Ill., Lois Shaleen, of Vermillion, Minn., Mary Ann Erckenbrack, Wadena, Minn., and Pat Savaloja, Orangeville, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Terry in 1992 and Mark in 2003; his parents, five brothers, Arthur, Rueben, George, Kenneth and Ben; two sisters, Ruth Hepokoski and Bernice Sarkela.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on March 9, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Deerwood Legion. A private burial will be at the Deerwood Scandia Cemetery.