Douglas "Doug" Savela

Douglas Alvin Savela was born on June 13, 1956, to Harley and Laura Savela (Lindula) at Wesley Hospital in Wadena, MN. He was called to rest on January 14, 2025, at Greenwood Connections, Menahga, MN, after a lengthy illness.

He attended Sebeka School through the 8th grade. He was united in marriage to Karen Kuha on April 22, 1978. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David and Shannon. The couple made their home in Sebeka, MN, until Doug’s health forced him to move to Greenwood Connections in November 2024.

Doug enlisted in in the United States National Guard on October 17, 1976, and served his country until his honorable discharge on February 1, 1982, while simultaneously working for Sebeka Milk Products. An unfortunate fall during his employment at the milk plant caused a debilitating back injury, plaguing him for the rest of his life. Following the close of the milk plant in the early 1980’s, he worked at Menahga Co-op alongside his father on heating and plumbing jobs. Doug also farmed with neighbor Harold Beishline of rural Sebeka for many, many years and assisted Harold in building his house. The farming job required him to repair tractors and other farm machinery when they broke down. He also repaired cars and trucks and pretty much anything that had an engine for others when needed.

Doug was always willing to lend a helping hand, his mechanic’s expertise and his extensive knowledge covering a wide range of topics, whenever friends, neighbors and relatives asked. He truly was a jack-of-all-trades. There’s an old saying that goes like this: “Jack-of-all-trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” That was Doug to a “T.” It seems there was no leaky faucet or toilet, no vehicle ‘noises,’ no lawnmower or snowblower problems he couldn’t fix. He loved working on equipment and vehicles and especially enjoyed deer hunting and going fishing with his wife.

Douglas is survived by his grandson, Trenton Savela, Detroit Lakes, MN; granddaughters, Kaylee Savela, Menahga, MN; Kendra Snook, Sebeka, MN; and Vyolette Lysne, Menahga, MN; and siblings Lucy (Roger) Karvonen, Wolf Lake, MN; Jane Kosola, Menahga, MN; Lorna Rintamaki, Ishpeming, MI; Curtis (Doreen) Savela, Sebeka, MN; Natalie Hensel, Sebeka, MN; and Jayson (Amy) Savela, Sebeka, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Karen (2022), sons David and Shannon (2021), parents Harley (1989) and Laura (2023), nephew Levi Savela (2023), and three brothers-in-law Donald Kosola (2010), Carl Rintamaki (2006) and Joseph Hensel (2017).

Doug will leave a void in the hearts of many who will miss his quick wit and his positive, generous nature. He was a living example to us all on how to live through a life of chronic pain and adversity.

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