Wayne R. Juntunen

Pastor Wayne R. Juntunen, 83 of Esko passed away peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2016 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 5, 1933 in Cloquet to Joseph and Lempi Juntunen. He grew up in Esko and graduated from Esko High School in 1951. Wayne attended Suomi College and Seminary, Augsburg College and Seminary, and received his Doctorate of Ministry from Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary. Wayne served in the Army from 1953 until 1955. He married Patricia Ylatalo in Fredrick, SD on June 14, 1958. Wayne served as Pastor of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, Dean of the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN, Pastor of Bethel Free Lutheran Church in Grafton, ND, Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI, and Visitation Minister at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Wayne enjoyed reading, fishing, hunting, gardening, photography, bird watching, and picking berries. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joyce Wilson and Roselle Lavoy; brothers, Clifford, Robert, Gordon, and James. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia; his children, Timothy (Lynn) of Darwin, Minn., Kerry (Diane) of Hermantown; Holly (Gordon) Rintala of Chassell, Mich., Amy (David) Jacobson of Eagan, and Nathan (Laura) of Esko; brother, Glenn Juntunen of Esko; sister, Luella Bergstedt of Cloquet; 15 grandchildren, Jason and Aaron Juntunen, Christa (Tyler) Thielsen, Katie (Steven Douglas), Amanda, and Sarah Juntunen, Ryan (Jennie), Brett, and Derek Rintala, Samuel and Zachary Jacobson, and Titus, Ari, Sophia and Eero Juntunen; and 2 great grandchildren, Bridget and Kian. Visitation: 9 until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service Saturday, December 10, 2016 in Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko. Military Honors will be provided by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Burial will be in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the church social hall. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com