Carlo Oja, of Ensign, received the very best answer to his daily prayers by going Home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, February 08, 2008. He was 90 years old. Carlo had a strong Christian faith and will be remembered for his smile and for his ability to quote Scripture from God’s Holy Bible. His faithfulness to his wife, Linnea, and to all his family and friends will also be remembered as he was a daily witness and testimony to the end.

Carlo grew up in the Days River Area on a farm with a large loving Finnish family. His parents, William and Wilhelmina (Niemi) Oja, preceded him in death, having raised nine children: Sadie, Julia, William, Carlo, Bertha, Celia, Elma, Emil, and Lorraine.

Carlo was born on April 22, 1917. He attended the Days River School through the 8th grade and then helped out on the farm and at the family saw mill. In his mid-twenties, he went to work on the ore boats on Lake Superior. When he returned home, he married Pauline Burczikowski in 1947. Together they owned and operated a dairy farm in Ensign. Carlo also ran the local milk delivery truck. Carlo and Pauline had one son, Robert Oja, who preceded Carlo in death in March, 1997. Pauline passed away in 1980.

In 1981, Carlo married his best friend and neighbor, Linnea (Johnson) Lindquist. Carlo and Linnea continued to make their home in Ensign for many years. Linnea Oja survives at the Christian Park Village. Carlo faithfully went to visit Linnea as often as he could in her nearly six years of residency at CPV. About five and a half years ago, Carlo moved in with his step-son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and LuAnn Lindquist, in Ensign, where he lived until he died.

Carlo was a talented woodworking craftsman, and left behind many beautiful memories with his handcrafted beds, desks, cabinets, benches and much much more. He had also worked for the Forestry for a time, building beautiful display cabinets (in Rapid River and also in Munising).

In addition to his wife, Linnea, he is survived by one sister, Celia Sipenen (Days River Farm) and his step children: Darryl and LuAnn Lindquist (Ensign), Ed and Vernice Johnson (Daggett), Jerry and Arlene Smith (Sarasota, Fl and Appleton, WI) plus several grandchildren: Tyler (Katie) Lindquist (Minneapolis, MN), Ann Lindquist (Bethel U. St. Paul, MN), David (Tammy) Johnson (Daggett), Dennis (Sara)Johnson (Daggett), Melanie (Jerry) Sardina (Daggett), Lynette (Jeff) Zimmer (Neenah, WI) and Rhonda (David) Menor (Marinette, WI); Plus several great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Carlo Oja will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 from 3 PM until 6 PM; with services to follow, celebrating the life of Carlo Oja at 6 PM, also at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River. Pastor Steve Gauger (Calvary Lutheran) and Dr. Stephen Patrick (Grace Baptist) will preside over the services for Carlo. A luncheon will follow the service in the Calvary Lutheran Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please designate donations in Carlo’s memory to Calvary Lutheran Church or Grace Baptist Church.