Priscilla J. Harvala

PRISCILLA J. HARVALA June 25, 1940 - October 6, 2014 Priscilla J. Harvala, age 74, of Osage, MN, formerly of Esko, MN, peacefully entered eternity on October 6 with her loved ones at her side at her home in the Smoky Hills, west of Osage, following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Priscilla was born on June 25, 1940 in Minneapolis to Walter and Mamie (Salmela) Jarpey. She graduated from Marshall High School in Minneapolis with the Class of 1958. Priscilla went on to attend the University of Minnesota on a full scholarship. She was united in marriage to Harvey H. Harvala on November 23, 1960. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Paula, Ted, Rebecca, Eli and Joanne. In the early years of her marriage, Priscilla worked as a medical secretary at state/federal facilities in ND, MN and TX. Once they started their family, she devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom. The Harvalas moved to Duluth in the mid-1960's, to Chisholm for a year and then to Esko, MN from 1971 to 2009, where Priscilla led her family in the care of hobby farming with large gardens and various animals including cats, dogs, sheep, horses, rabbits, geese, chickens, a burro and even honey bees. She loved to cook, bake, sew, preserve food and make maple syrup. As a dedicated parent volunteer, Priscilla served as a 4-H leader, helped start Esko's first ECFE classes, initiated all-night grad parties for high school seniors and assisted school-based hearing and vision screenings for many years. When her children got older, she re-entered the workforce in the buying department at Potlatch Corporation and worked there for 15 years. In retirement, Priscilla served her community as a member of the Esko Homemakers group, the MN Finnish-American Historical Society and as an advisor and board member of the MN Forestry Association. She also sold Stanley-Fuller Home Products and co-founded the Old Saps' Maple Syrup operation. Among her many passions, Priscilla loved inventing and held a patent pending for her Lil Hanger' device. A musician since childhood, she loved singing church hymns, playing the piano and accordion by ear and yodeling at family gatherings. Priscilla's notable writing accomplishments include penning several patriotic songs and an epic poem about Sinikka, the Finnish wife of the legendary St. Urho. A woman of strong faith, Priscilla was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in both Cloquet and Pickerel Lake. Her vocal capacity and ability to memorize hymns will be remembered by many in the congregation. Throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed visiting nearly all of the United States and many foreign countries on trips with family and friends. One of her most memorable trips was to China. In the summer of 2009, Priscilla and Harvey moved into their new home that Priscilla designed on 300 acres of forest and field in the Smoky Hills. While she lived a very full and productive life, Priscilla's greatest joy came from spending cherished time with her loved ones and believed "my greatest success in life is my children." She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for these past 54 years, Harvey; her children: Paula Thrall of Afton, MN, Ted (Tricia) Harvala of Pocatello, ID; Rebecca (Roque) Araujo of Long Beach, CA, Eli (Jodie) Harvala of Fargo, ND and Joanne Harvala of Minneapolis, MN; 9 grandchildren: Eurico, Ashley, Minna, Mamie, Josie, Haley, Foster, Keaton, Riley; two grandchildren, Ricardo and Atila, and two great-grandchildren, Henry and Atila Jr., through marriage who live in Brazil; her brother, Leland (June) Jarpey of Blaine, MN, aunt Beverly (John) Banks; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends and brothers and sisters in faith. Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters: Barbara, Wallis, baby Mary Jane who died in infancy, and many aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake with James Yliniemi officiating. Interment will be in the Harvala family plot located at the Pickerel Lake Cemetery near Wolf Lake. Following the service, a luncheon will held at the church for all. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM on Sunday, October 12th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. To view the video tribute or to leave on-line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.