Obituary: Stanley Richard Rajala

As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:

Stanley Richard Rajala, age 84 of Covington, MI passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Bayside Village in L’Anse, MI.

He was born August 28, 1936 in Ishpeming, MI son of Sulo and Lillian (Autio) Rajala. Stanley grew up in Covington and graduated from L’Anse High School in 1954. He married the former LaVerne Toth on October 8, 1960. Stanley did woods work for many years. He purchased the Rajala Family farm in 1964, becoming the third generation owner. He loved to farm and considered it his hobby (second job). He became quite successful at his farming, his beef cattle herd started out with a few cows and grew to over 80 head of beef cows and various other animals over the years. He worked at and retired from Cleveland Cliffs. He made many lifelong buddies while working there. A group of them kept in contact throughout the years and held an annual picnic.

Stanley was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and also served as an elder on the church council. He was also a member of the Covington Lions Club and the Volunteer Fire Dept.

He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. His family and his friends were important to him and he treasured each person in his life and enjoyed spending time with them.

Stanley is survived by his wife LaVerne; sister Helen (Jim) Osborn of Stillwater, MN; brother Marvin (Carole) Rajala of Watton, MI; brother-in-law Don Kyllonen of Wayzata, MN; children Tanya (Bob) Selden of Antigo, WI, Cathy (Kerry) McCauley of Menomonie, WI, Nancy (Gar) Bennett of Kingsford, MI and Steve (Tammy) Rajala of Covington, MI; grandchildren Jennifer (Kelly) Douck of Wausau, WI, Bobby (Laura) Selden of Trenary, MI, Zach Selden of Antigo, WI, Summer Selden of Brentwood, TN, Claire McCauley of Carlsbad, CA, Connor McCauley of San Diego, CA, Alex Bennett of Colorado Springs, CO, Kelsey Bennett of Fort Carson, Military Base CO, Madison Bennett of Marquette, MI, Valerie Rajala of Lexington, KY, Justin Rajala of Claykaserne Army Base Weisbaden, Germany and Alec Rajala of Covington, MI; great grandchildren Rylan Douck, Lincoln Douck, Micah Douck and Grayson Douck – Wausau, WI, Finley Selden, Raven Selden, Kalijah Selden and Kelby Selden – Trenary, MI and Cameron Bennett, Colorado Springs, CO.

Preceding him in death are his parents Sulo and Lillian (Autio) Rajala and sister Donna Kyllonen

A private family graveside service will be held in the Covington Cemetery. The Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friends may sign Stanley’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.