Gerda Koskela

Gerda Koskela, 86, of Plummer, MN passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family under the care of HIA Hospice.

Gerda (Kvasager) Koskela, the daughter of Ole and Kathrine (Mandt) Kvasager, was born on August 6,1939 on the family farm near Oklee, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee. She attended school in Oklee and graduated from Oklee High School in 1957. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer where she was active in WELCA, serving as an officer for many years. She taught Sunday School and was recently involved in the quilting group. Gerda was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

After graduation, Gerda attended teacher's training and received her teaching certificate. She taught in Holt and also in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Oklee. On July 30, 1960, Gerda was united in marriage to Arlan Koskela at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Oklee. Together they had three children: Dean, Debra, and Dixie. The couple made their home in Plummer where they owned and operated a dairy and grain farm from 1963-2012. Gerda was very involved with the dairy farm and the bookkeeping for the farming operation. Once her children reached school age, she had the opportunity to work as a substitute teacher in Plummer. In 1991, they were selected as Red Lake County's Farm Family of the Year.

Gerda loved spending time with her family and friends. She always made sure everyone had plenty of sweet treats to eat. She enjoyed watching the hummingbirds outside her kitchen window and tending to her cats. Reading inspirational books, playing cards, working in her puzzle books, baking, and shopping were some of her favorite pastimes. She looked forward to her evening drives with Arlan. She also loved relaxing on the swing while admiring the beautiful scenery on the farm. She had a sweet, kind, caring, and loving heart.

Gerda is survived by her children, Dean Koskela, Plummer, MN, Debra (Carmen) Walter, Moorhead, MN, and Dixie Bosch, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Matthew and Nathan Walter, Conner and Regan Bosch; sisters, Anne Manthei and Helga Nissen; sisters-in-law, Lucille Kvasager, Carol Kvasager, Elaine Peterson, and Wanda (Clyde) Opdahl; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband; parents; brothers, Ole Kvasager, Jr., Bjarne (Viola) Kvasager, Otto (Donna) Kvasager, Arne Kvasager, Goodwin Kvasager, and Einar Kvasager; infant sister, Annie Kvasager; son-in-law, Brad Bosch; brothers-in-law, Milton Manthei, Maurice Nissen, Edward Arntson, and Edward Peterson; nephews, David and Todd Manthei; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

We are grateful to the kind and caring staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND and HIA Hospice.

A service to honor Gerda will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN, with Reverend Jonathan Dodson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Finnish Cemetery in Plummer, MN.