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As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel:
Rueben Mathew Turunen, 91, of Pelkie, MI, passed away on May 25, 2020.
He was born in Pelkie on February 3, 1929, the son of Matti and Hilja (Lappala) Turunen. Rueben graduated from Baraga High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, having been stationed in Deggendorf, Germany. On June 28, 1952 he married the former Evelyn Maki. They owned and operated a dairy farm for 26 years, the Pelkie Feed Co., an excavating contracting business for 17 years and a limestone quarry for 35 years. Rueben was a member of the Mission United Lutheran Church and had served on the church council. He was active in multiple civic organizations and served on the boards of the Baraga Area Schools, the soil conservation and the Baraga Co. Fair. He founded the Pelkie Fire Department with lifelong friend, the late Rudy Tahtinen. Rueben sponsored several area youth hockey teams. He enjoyed playing golf, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, gardening and reading. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Detroit Tiger fan.
He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn; children, Roger (Brenda) Turunen of Baraga, Patricia (William) Stark of Pelkie, Anita Chambers (Steven Pagels) of Auburn, CA, Dr. Barbara Turunen of El Sobrante Hills, CA, Dr. Denise Turunen of Irving, TX, Pete Turunen of Pelkie, Dr. Christine (Dr. Olaf) Nordling of San Diego, CA, Dr. Daniel (Jean) Turunen of Antigo, WI; grandchildren Jason, Dr. Brandon and Kendra Turunen, Dr. Owen Stark, Anthony Stark, Dr. Thomas Stark, Dr. Joel Stark, Justin and Jessica Chambers, Megan and Joshua Turunen, Michael and Rian Turunen, Jamie, Anya and Zoe Nordling and Andrew and Alicia Turunen; great grandchildren Payton, Carter and Lindsey Turunen, Taavo Stark, Will and Madeleine Stark, Hilja and Toivo Stark, Reuben Stark; sisters, Edith Moberg of Baraga, MI and Beatrice (William) Prewitt of Chico, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, son Jack, great grandson Eero Stark, son-in-law Gary Chambers, brothers Reino, Ralph and Bruno, and sisters Martha, Aili, Eleanor, Sylvia, Eva and Ruth.
A private service and burial will take place. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date.
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
