Obituary of Martha Anna Harju

Martha Anna Harju, 94, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully at Viewcrest Health Center on August 11, 2020.

Martha was born in Stearns County, MN, on June 13, 1926 to Frank and Anna (Scepaniak) Winskowski. She grew up learning all of the skills of being a homemaker, the hard work of farming, and appreciating the importance of an education.

Ben came into her life and they became a polka dancing duo. They were united in marriage on January 7, 1948 and were blessed to have 62 years together with love, health, and contentment until Ben’s death in 2010.

When they moved to Duluth, Martha lovingly took care of her family, and later, also worked for Garon Knitting Mills and Aquilla until her retirement. She always enjoyed baking, needlecraft, and tending to her vegetable garden and flowers.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Benjamin, son Gerald, three brothers, and four sisters.

Martha is survived by her daughter Rene (Rick) Nelson of Duluth, MN; grandsons and great- grandchildren, Reid (Jamey) Nelson, Oliver, Everlea of Houston, TX, and Aaron (Amber) Nelson, Anders, Blake, Kenzie of Duluth, MN; several dearly loved nieces and nephews; We will all miss her.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Viewcrest and at Essentia Health Hospice for their loving care.

A private service will be held at First Memorial Chapel and internment will be in Oneota Cemetery.