Jimmie Allen Salmela, 71, of Oregon
Jimmie Allen Salmela, 71, died at Avamere Nursing Home in Lebanon, Oregon, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015.
A private service and inurnment will take place at a later date at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Jim Salmela was born Sept. 2, 1943, in Cokato, the fourth child of Richard and Fannie Salmela. He was raised in Cokato, attended school in Cokato, and following school he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two years. Following his two years of service, he was married twice and blessed with three children prior to re-enlisting in the Army. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam in artillery.
Following his discharge, he spent most of his adult life on the west coast. He was an independent soul. He loved the outdoors, camping in the mountains, fishing, hunting and trapping in the winter. The last 20 years, he worked at a mink ranch in Lebanon, Oregon. He loved his job and hated to take a day off.
He is survived by two daughters and one son, Tammy Zurek Boettcher, Sherri (Jeff) Giese and Scott Salmela; two granddaughters, Kara and Kayla Salmela; two sisters, Margaret “Muggs” (Leonard) Kieser and Verna Quale; two brothers, Clifford (Bertha) Salmela and Clarence “Kelly” (Gloriann Bastin) Salmela; and several nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his very good friends, Richard and Jeanette Slack of Lebanon, Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; his father, Richard; his mother, Fannie; and his brother-in-law, Dennis Quale.
