Ronald Ernest Rantala, 50, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Wadena, passed away Sept. 20, 2007 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.
He was born Nov. 28, 1956 in Wadena. His parents are Eunice Rantala and the late Ernest Carl Rantala. He grew up on the family farm in Newton Township, rural New York Mills. He graduated from New York Mills High School with the class of 1975. After high school, he attended St. Cloud State University. He had resided in Fergus Falls since 1978. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and he was an avid reader.
Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, with the Rev. Jon T. Haakana officiating. The pallbearers were John Rantala, John Asmund, Jerry Asmund, Dan Salo, Dave Salo and Bob Maki. The honorary pallbearers were Gene True and Brent Meyer. He was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Karvonen and Son Funeral Home in New York Mills.
Survivors include his mother, Eunice Rantala, of New York Mills; aunts and uncles; many cousins, other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, and his father, Ernest.
