Alfred Theodore Juntunen, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on June 26, 2021, at home with his family.

Alfred was born on January 17, 1929 to Aili (Tapanila) and Hjalmer Juntunen in Perth, ND. He grew up on the family farm and attended school until the 8 ^th grade, at which point he joined his father in full-time work on the farm. In addition to a strong work ethic, he developed a deep and abiding love of music and cars in his youth. He began playing mandolin as a teenager, played music with his two younger brothers for much of his life, and continued to perform well into his '80s.  Ask him about any life event, and he would tell you when it occurred based on the car he was driving or had just purchased.

In 1958, Alfred married Hazel Johnson of Wolford, ND.  They settled on their farm outside of Perth, ND, where they lived until 1989.  There they made a happy and satisfying life with good friends in the community, in a cozy home where visitors were always welcome and the coffee and cookies were always ready.  In addition to being a busy farmer, devoted husband, and loving father, Alfred was an active member of the community, serving on the Rolla Ambulance Board and Our Savior's Luther Church Council for many years, as well as being a founding member of the Borderland Auto Club.

Alfred and Hazel moved to Rolla in 1989, where Alfred worked several jobs after farming.  He was a school bus driver for Rolla Public School, worked at both Tuomala Plumbing & Heating and Tuomala Farms, was a long-time caretaker at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and was also very proud of maintaining the Finnish Rest Area east of Rolla on Highway 281.  He was an active volunteer in the community, and in 2010 was recognized as one of "8 over 80" North Dakota residents who make a difference in their community. Alfred and Hazel also enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren during those years, and he especially enjoyed a good train ride and the opportunity to meet new people as he traveled cross country.

Alfred had a lifelong devotion to education, and earned his high school GED in the 1970's.  He always encouraged his children to pursue college degrees, and both attended the University of North Dakota.  Alfred has donated his body to the UND Medical School, and he noted with a laugh as he signed the paperwork, "I always wanted to go to UND."

Alfred will be remembered by all who loved him for his big heart, his modesty, his love of art and music, and his "sisu" (Finnish for grit).  His wife of 63 years, his children and his grandchildren will always be grateful for the deep love and valuable wisdom he shared freely with them.

Alfred was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Susan and Barbara; parents, Aili and Hjalmer; and brother John.  He is survived by wife Hazel; daughter Cindy (Kara Wettersten) of Grand Forks; son Dan (Denae) of Clearwater, MN; grandchildren MeiLi (Stephen Anderson) Smith, Shai Smith, Allie Juntunen (Weston Morgan), and Nick Juntunen; brother Jim (Linda); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom he loved to visit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial can be donated in Alfred's name to the Sisu Endowment in the College of Education & Human Development at UND, via the UND Foundation.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 with visitation at 1:00 PM, all at our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rolla ND.

Arrangements are by Elick Funeral Home, and details can be found at elickfh.com.