Funeral services were held for Eunice Rantala on Saturday December 8, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota, with Pastor Jon T. Haakana and Pastor Rod Krueger officiating. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Janell Brakel. The pallbearers were John Asmund, Jerry Asmund, Dan Salo, David Salo, Bob Maki and John Pilegaard. The honorary pallbearers were Larry Selander, Larry Ahlfs and Paul Salo. Eunice was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, New York Mills, Minnesota.
Eunice Leona Esther Rantala was born on September 2, 1927 on the family farm in Leaf Lake Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota. Her parents were the late Eli and Esther (Kauppi) Asmund. Eunice grew up on the family farm in Leaf Lake Township until the Asmund family moved and made their home in Deer Creek Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota in 1929. She attended New York Mills High School and graduated with the class of 1945. Eunice was employed at Folkstead Furniture as a secretary for a short time, she then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she was employed at Coca ~ Cola as a secretary for 10 years. On December 17, 1955 Eunice was united in marriage to Ernest Carl Rantala at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Ronald Rantala. Eunice and Ernie resided and farmed in Newton Township, rural New York Mills, Minnesota. On March 30, 2002 Ernie passed away. Eunice continued to live on their family farm and work at the Senior Nutrition Center in New York Mills, Minnesota for the past 12 years. She enjoyed reading, listen to music and visiting. On December 4, 2007 Eunice passed away at the Tri-County Hospital in Wadena, Minnesota at 80 years of age. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Preceding Eunice in death were her parents, Eli and Esther; her husband, Ernie; her son, Ronald and her brother, Wally Asmund.
Eunice is survived by her brother & sisters: Marvin (Lucille) Asmund of Cambridge; Avis (Waldo) Leistico of Anoka; Myrna (Erwin) Paavola of New York Mills; sisters-in-law: Ida Pietala of Crystal; Ily Paananen of Glendale, Arizona; Ellen (Elmer) Linen of Wadena; many cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen & Son Funeral Home in New York Mills, Minnesota.
