Gordon Paul Raisanen, 68 of Cokato, MN passed away December 15, 2024 in his home after 16 years of challenges following brain cancer.
Gordon was born November 18th, 1956 in Buffalo, MN, son of the late Paul & Mildred Raisanen. He was raised at the family farm in Cokato with his 14 siblings, where hard work wasn’t a lesson to be learned, it was just the way of life. He attended country school at Temperance Corner and graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1974.
After exploring various jobs in Minneapolis as a young adult, life brought him back to Cokato to become a part owner of R&H Painting Inc.
In 1977, Gordon married his childhood friend Ruth Hannus and they made their home in Cokato, where they raised their 10 children.
Gordon’s unique interests included photography, scuba diving, aviation, staying physically active and touring the countryside on his motorcycle.
Gordon valued good conversation with people of all walks of life, especially nieces, nephews and other youth. He was not a man who saw life as it was, rather, what it could be. He loved asking questions and listened with keen interest, always ready to see things from a new angle. This interest may have inspired him to resume studying in his 30’s. He graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 1997, and pursued his career as an attorney for 10 years, until the age of 52, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Even when speech became difficult after surgery, Gordon’s presence spoke volumes. A nod, a glance, or a smile conveyed a world of meaning. His optimism and humor never faltered. There was a quiet grace in the way he faced each day. A reminder that even in life’s most trying moments, hope can be found.
Many of us heard short comments from Gordon including, “Beautiful.” “No Cancer.” “Nice.” “It was good.” “Home-Home.” Although most words were taken from him in his later years, Gordon never lost the ability to preach the gospel of forgiveness until his final days.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 47 years: Ruth of Cokato, children: Riina (Eric) Koski of Cokato, Trisha (William) Koski of Dassel, Angela (Mark) Meredith of South Haven, Grant (Angela) of Dassel, Kristen (Darren) Byman of Silt, CO, Bryce (Brittany) of Cokato, Gregory (Courtney) of Cokato, Charlton of Cokato, Kambria of Cokato, and Kyler (Erika) of Cokato, and 56 grandchildren. He is further survived by his 14 siblings: Randall, Joan Kotila, Mary (George) Koivukangas, Kenneth (Pearl), Bruce (Patricia), Carolyn Mattila, Heidi (Larry) Torola, Warren (Brita), Susan, Dwight, Laura (Evan) Bekkala, Gretchen (Mark) Plough, Kirsti (Nick) Lang, and Philip, many nieces, nephews and relatives.
Gordon is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Mildred, brothers-in-law Mervin Mattila & Mark Kotila, sister-in-law Sheryle Raisanen, several nephews, and a niece.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church with visitation on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 4-8 PM with a 7 PM prayer service and continue 1 hour prior to services on Thursday, all at the church.