Olli Rikhard Rahkola

Olli Rikhard Rahkola, 69 of Esko passed away in the early morning of January 5 2025 with his family by his side.

Olli was born in Hibbing, Minnesota to Frans and Martha (Himanka) Rahkola on February 8, 1955. Olli was a devout lover of Christ, and his catholic faith, he was very active within the church and the community. He was a volunteer for meals on wheels, the school kitchen at St James Catholic School, the Esko community garden, the Esko High School track meets, and he took great pride in doing odds and ends at St Francis Catholic Church and Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

He loved watching and attending basketball, hockey, and football games, and he believed 2025 was the year for the Vikings to get to the Super Bowl.

Olli loved the outdoors, he loved taking his wife on fishing trips, bus trips and on road trips. Visiting our national parks was a favorite of his. In recent years he began deer hunting with his two sons at the property they were building together.

Olli was a devoted husband of 43 years to Katherine (Nephew) of Esko, a proud father to his two sons Matthew of Esko, Timothy and wife Amy (Sowada) and his granddaughter Miia of Wrenshall.Olli is survived by his six brothers and sisters and their families, Aulie Kamunen of Esko, Eira Bridges of Esko, John (Char) Rahkola of Cloquet, Oili (Ray) Hegge of Boynton Beach Florida, Urho (Pamela) Rahkola of Shoreview, Jorma (Deb) Rahkola of Sturgeon Lake, and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews. Olli is preceeded in death by his parents, infant sister Anja, and brother in law Herb Kamunen.

Services will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet Friday January 10 beginning with a visitation at 10 am, funeral mass at 11 am. In lieu of flowers donations in Olli’s name to Queen of Peace Catholic School, or Mater Dei Apostolate, are welcome and appreciated.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.