JOHN WALLACE SALMELA

[Guest Nicole]

John Wallace Salmela was born on April 8, 1942 in Virginia, Minnesota, the son of Wallace and Bernice. John passed away on Monday, February 5, 2018. A service for John will take place at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 2:00 pm. A visitation will start at 1:00 pm before the service. A luncheon will follow at the Wouri Town Hall. Funeral arrangements are through Range Funeral Home of Virginia, Minnesota. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.

John grew up in the Virginia area and graduated from the Roosevelt High School. John was united in marriage to Carol on August 13, 1962. Together they raised four children: Roxane Dawn, Daniel (Marnie) Salmela, Shelly (Steve) Slater, and Matthew (Paula) Salmela. John loved and cherished his family and was blessed with five grandchildren: Ericka & Courtney Salmela, Breklin Pallas, and Jasper & Roland Salmela.

John enjoyed traveling and went on many adventures and vacations with his family. John loved gardening and his famous variety of potatoes won him the title of “Potato King.” John was a family man, proud of his heritage, dedicated to his faith, for over 40 years a successful businessman, if not a reluctant one, for he would have much rather spent his time hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends.

John is survived by his wife Carol, his children and grandchildren, sisters Michelle Scuffy, Leslie (Ken) Gaustad, Billie (Paul) Werdier, Toni (Steve) Jonas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents Bernice and Wallace, a sister Dale Ann Salmela, and a brother, Robert Salmela.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/obituaries/john-wallace-salmela/article_1009809e-0c81-11e8-bd4f-5f296671439c.html