Arthur Kayala

Arthur Richard Kayala, age 90, of Brainerd and formerly Pine River, passed away Thursday, November 15, 2012, at Bethany Good Samaritan Center in Brainerd. He was born to Tuomas and Sophia Kayala on April 7, 1922, in Pine River.

Art married Hazel Healey on November 11, 1944, in Batley, England. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper with multiple tours in Africa, Sicily and finally in the Battle of the Bulge. Art was employed by the State of Minnesota for 25 years and was also a dairy farmer.

Art is survived by his children: Christine Jones (David) of Sartell, Maxine Norman of Menahga, Sharon Ruberg of Bemidji, Lindsey Finch (Jeff) of Chanhassen, Tom Kayala (Dianne) of Exeter, RI, Mike Kayala (Gail) of Little Falls, Jeff Kayala (Donna) of San Antonio, TX, Peter Kayala of Denver, CO, Greg Kayala (Sandi) of Sparta, WI; 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, and sons-in-law, Oscar Norman and Jack Ruberg.

Memorials to the Pine River American Legion are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Services will be 11 AM on Monday, November 19, at First Lutheran Church, Pine River. Burial will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine River. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 5 PM, with sharing time at 4:30, at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service at the church.