Matthew Gust Huju

Matthew Gust Huju, 92, of Marcell, Minnesota passed away on August 25, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Matt was born to Victor, Sr and Ilona Elizabeth (Saari) Huju in Alder, Minnesota on April 28, 1932.

He attended school in Marcell and at Deer River High School and played football with Deer River Warriors Football team. Matt also was on the cheerleading squad during high school and graduated in 1950.

He served his country in the United States Marines on a tank brigade in the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he married Ellen Lorraine Lyytinen on March 28, 1953, and together they raised seven children.

Matt is survived by seven children: Bonnie (Dennis) Korte, Marcell, Brian (Anita) Huju, Grand Rapids, Lori (Danny) Wencl, Ironton, Kathy (Alfred) Fairbanks, Deer River, Jeff (Teresa) Huju, and Doug Huju, Marcell and Todd (Roberta) Huju, Sioux City, Iowa; 24 grandchildren plus spouses, 59 great grandchildren plus spouses, and 9 great great grandchildren; one sister, Aileen Kovanen, sisters-in-law, Pat Huju, Sandra Lyytinen, and Pat Lyytinen.

Matt was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ellen, their infant son, Mark Leo Huju and grandson, Joshua Huju; daughter-in-law, SusAnn Huju; his parents, his stepmother, Mildred (Forsythe) Huju; brothers and spouse, Victor and Wanda Huju, John Huju; sisters and spouses, Elsie and Donald Anderson, Irja and Robert Christie, Irene “Honey” and Wilho Lyytinen; brothers-in-law, Robert Kovanen, Walter Lyytinen, Reino Lyytinen; sisters-in-law and spouses, Aili and Elmer Jantti, Elsie and Eddie Erickson and Sylvia and Milton Tippary.

Employed by and retired from Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company at the Canisteo mine, Matt also worked as a tradesman in many fields throughout the area including carpentry, blocklaying, stonemason, plumbing, farming and logging.

Matt served his community on several boards including as Marcell Township Supervisor, Itasca County Commissioner, ISD #317 School Board member, Marcell Community Church Council, Marcell Family Center governing board, as a VFW member and Chaplain, Firearm Safety Instructor, Snowmobile Safety Instructor, and Bigfork Valley Hospital Board member.

Matt’s family is very grateful to Essentia Hospice for their help, care and comfort given Matt through these past eight months. A donation, in his honor, will be made to Essentia Hospice

Visitation will be held at Carroll Funeral Home on Friday evening, August 30 from 5:00 to 7:00. The funeral service will be at Marcell Community Church with Pastor Matt LaTourelle officiating on Saturday, August 31 at 11:00. Burial will take place with military honors at graveside at Evergreen Knoll Cemetery, Marcell. Luncheon will follow at the Marcell Family Center.

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