Ervin Lapinoja

Ervin Isaac Lapinoja, age 73, of Pine River, passed away May 27, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Ervin was born in Wadena County on February 14, 1938, to August and Ina (Hendrickson) Lapinoja. He lived in the Nimrod area until graduating from Sebeka High School in 1956. He moved to Pine River in the mid sixties and worked at Durkee Manufacturing for 26 years until they closed in 1989. In 1961, Ervin married Bonnie Cashman, with whom he had four children. He married Elaine (Jokela) Farmer on April 12, 1983. Erv loved to fish. Every year for thirty years Erv went to a favorite fishing location in Canada and many secret fishing holes on Whitefish and Pine Mountain Lakes. Erv loved working in his yard and working with woodcrafts along with his sidekick, Jerry. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends.

Ervin is survived by his wife, Elaine; children: Judy Schrupp (Dan) of Pine River, Bob Lapinoja (Jill) of Cologne, MN, Janelle Lapinoja (Dennis) of Brainerd, Kim Christensen (Todd) of Otsego, MN; stepson, Greg Farmer of Brainerd; brother, Alvin Yrjo (Ellen) of Menahga, MN; grandchildren: Nicole Lapinoja of Brainerd, Abby Lapinoja of Cologne, Colton Eiden of Chaska, Braden Christensen of Otsego, Chris Endriss of Brainerd, Ryan Farmer of Brainerd, Jordan Farmer of Brainerd, Dylon Holtti of New York Mills; great grandchild, Joni Marie Jensen of Brainerd; and many, many nieces and nephews.

"God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, and when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray, when in the Lord's safe landing net, I'm peacefully asleep, that in His mercy I be judged as good enough to keep."

Services will be 11 AM on Wednesday, June 1, at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, with Pastor Mel Nefstead officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.