Obituary: Olli Rikhard Rahkola

Olli Rikhard Rahkola, 69, of Esko, passed away in the early morning of Jan. 5, 2025 with his family by his side.

Olli was born in Hibbing, Minnesota to Frans and Martha (Himanka) Rahkola on Feb. 8, 1955. Olli was a devout lover of Christ, and his Catholic faith; he was very active within the church and the community. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the school kitchen at St James Catholic School, the Esko community garden, the Esko High School track meets, and he took great pride in doing odds and ends at St Francis Catholic Church and Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

He loved watching and attending basketball, hockey and football games, and he believed 2025 was the year for the Vikings to get to the Super Bowl.

Olli loved the outdoors, he loved taking his wife on fishing trips, bus trips and road trips. Visiting our national parks was a favorite of his. In recent years he began deer hunting with his two sons at the property they were building together.

Olli was a devoted husband of 43 years to Katherine (Nephew) of Esko, a proud father to his two sons Matthew of Esko, Timothy and wife Amy (Sowada) and his granddaughter Miia of Wrenshall.

Olli is survived by his six brothers and sisters and their families: Aulie Kamunen of Esko, Eira Bridges of Esko, John (Char) Rahkola of Cloquet, Oili (Ray) Hegge of Boynton Beach, Florida; Urho (Pamela) Rahkola of Shoreview, Jorma (Deb) Rahkola of Sturgeon Lake, and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

Olli was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Anja, and brother-in-law Herb Kamunen.

Services will be held Friday, Jan. 10, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Olli's name to Queen of Peace Catholic School, or Mater Dei Apostolate, are welcome and appreciated.