Reuben Willard Juntunen

Reuben was born December 8, 1926, in French Lake Township, MN to Isaac and Lydia (Alapteri) Juntunen.  He passed away suddenly at his home in Pine City on Tuesday, May 17, at the age of 84.  Reuben attended country schools in Cokato and Annandale, and because his family only spoke Finnish at home, he had to learn to speak English at school.  He was near death from pneumonia as a child, but pulled through and served as a SeaBee in the Navy 1944-1946.   Reuben became a general contractor and plumber while living in North Minneapolis and was married to Mary Anne for 10 years until she died suddenly following a grand mal seizure. In 1979 he met Eunice Ovick and moved to Pine City after they were married at First Presbyterian Church on November 17, 1979.  They enjoyed early retirements and 31 ½ years together.   Reuben was meticulous with his yard work, raking leaves and shoveling snow daily, if needed.  He became chief cook and home caretaker after Eunice’s health and memory began to fail four years ago.  He enjoyed polka music and playing the guitar and harmonica.  He was a member of the VFW, a church usher every Sunday, and watched every televised Twins game (he certainly didn’t like to see them losing so many games this season).  Reuben built a sauna in the basement that he used every Friday evening and worked in the VFW booth at the county fair every summer.  He could be counted on to fix anything that needed fixing at church and home.  Reuben loved traveling and even drove his Scamp trailer alone to Oregon to visit family in 1997.  Eunice and Reuben made several trips together with the Scamp.   Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Anne; brothers Raymond, Melvin, and Harold; and sister Arlene Pool.  He is survived by wife Eunice; stepchildren Robert (Nancy) Ovick of Rush City, Sheila Roberts of Apple Valley, and Randy (Renee) Ovick of Centennial, Colorado; brothers Martin (Terri) of Eugene, Oregon and Allen (Elma) of Zimmerman; sister Priscilla Nadeau of Eugene, Oregon; and brother-in-law Victor Pool of Tennessee; many nieces, nephews, and friends.   A funeral service was held Saturday, May 21 at 3:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church with Harry Lichy officiating.  A visitation was held one hour prior to the service.  Music was provided by Jennifer Hansmann and Kae Ellison.  Military honors were provided by the Heath-Perkins American Legion Post #51, the Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258, both of Pine City and the Minnesota National Guard.  Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.   Arrangements were with the Funeral and Cremation Service, Swanson Chapel of Pine City.  www.funeralandcremationservice.com