William Felix Jokela 
Born: 11-Jul-1935Died: 29-Aug-2000 William F. Jokela, 65, of Sandstone, died at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth following heart surgery on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000. He was born on July 11, 1935 in Hibbing, the son of Dr. Felix W. and K. Janette (Sheehy) Jokela.
Bill graduated from Hibbing High School in 1953 and attended Hibbing Junior College, Bemidji State Teachers College and did graduate work at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
He taught history and geography at Sandstone High School for 21 years, was mayor of Sandstone for eight years and then city administrator for 13 years before retiring in 1992.
On June 16, 1962, Bill married Marilyn (Barnick) Jokela in Sandstone. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sandstone for 39 years and was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Bill was active in many civic affairs, and the love of his life was politics (in addition to his wife, Marilyn). He was co-chairman of Citizens for Reuniting Pine County. He loved Sandstone and Pine County and was always looking out for what was best for his town and county.
The last surviving chapter member of the Sandstone Lions Club, Bill was their first gambling manager and was twic president of the club. He was a longtime member of the East Central Regional Development Commission, chairman of the Sandstone Planning Commission, President of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and President of the Sandstone Area Seniors.
For many years, Bill was the DFL Chairman of Pine County, a member of the Sandstone Chamber of Commerce and the Sandstone Rod and Gun Cub. He was a gun safey instructor for many years and was active in several other organizations.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Marily, daughter, Beth Ann, and her husband Dr. David Theiste, Grand Rapids, MI; son, Tracy Alan Jokela, and his wife, Theresa, Colorado Springs, CO; brother, Alan Jokela, and his wife Kathleen, Hibbing; three grandsons, Eric, Anders and Peder Theiste, step father-in-law, Roger Frase, former foster son Barry Burch, his cat, Yetti, several brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, several grandchildren, aunts and uncles and cousins.
Bill's memorial service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sandstone on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. Pastor Ralph Boyer officated.
Occupation: Teacher/City Administrator/Mayor
Comments: Father - Dr. Felix W. Jokela,
dentist. Passed away in 1979.
Mother - K. Janette Sheehy-Jokela
Passed away in 1995.