John Seppo Raiha, 87, of Cloquet, died peacefully on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

Seppo Johan Raihala (John Seppo Raiha) was born on October 9, 1938 in Kalajoki, Finland to Johan Kustaa Raihala and Kaino Kylliki Hukka Raihala. At the age of 11, John, accompanied by his father, immigrated to the United States on July 4, 1950, and settled in Alaska. Upon arriving in the US, both John and his father changed their names to John Raiha. After a short stay in Alaska, John moved to Kettle River and was raised by Arnie and Mayme Ronkainen. He attended school in Kettle River and later in Moose Lake, where he graduated in 1958. On November 16, 1963, John married Loretta Johnson in Moose Lake. In 1960, after a few odd jobs, he began a 38-year career in the United States Army. John was active duty for a few years, then served in the Army Reserves at Fort Snelling. As a civilian, he supervised the AMSA #25 (Area Maintenance Support Activity) on Park Point, retiring in 1995. In 1998, John retired from the Army Reserves. He and Loretta had two children, Elisa and John, and they lived in Cloquet for many years. John was an active member of the Cloquet American Legion and Masonic Lodge. John loved playing cribbage in the Thursday night cribbage league at the American Legion. John was an extreme motorhead, and he participated in many car shows. He had a passion for building and working on classic cars, especially Studebakers. Being at the family cabin on Island Lake in Cromwell was always a special place for John and Loretta throughout the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Loretta; two sisters: Seija and Ulla; and his Kettle River family who raised him: Arnie and Mayme Ronkainen; brother: Jerry (Laverne) Ronkainen; sister: Lois (Frank) Romanoski and brother-in-law: Marlin Lund.

John will be lovingly remembered by his two children: Elisa (Don) Proulx and John Raiha; three granddaughters: Kaitlyn (Maxx) Brenner; Jenna (Emma) Proulx; and Samantha (Sam) Olson; great grandson: Nolan Brenner; sisters: Merja (Pekka) Koponen; Karen Lund; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family wants to thank the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth for the wonderful care during his stay and to Kristi Anderson who assisted John with his wish of remaining independent in his home the past year.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 10 am until the 11 am service on Monday, December 29, 2025 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. Military Honors will follow the service.  Lunch will be served in the funeral home social hall. Inurnment will be held in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis on Friday, January 2nd .