OBIT – Joseph Nevanen

MISSION – Joseph L. Nevanen, 55, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at his home in Mission.

Mr. Nevanen was born in Chisholm, Minn., in 1962 and graduated from Chisholm High School. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied science in 1986.

He began his teaching career in the Rio Grande Valley in 1988 at Nellie Schunior Middle School in La Joya where he taught mathematics. In 1998, he joined the James Nikki Rowe High School teaching staff in McAllen and remained at Rowe until his retirement in May, 2017.

An active member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission, he was a teacher of religious education with the CCD, RCIA and RCIC programs. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2698 and served as the recording secretary from 2008-2017.

Survivors include his wife, Janice; son, Joseph; and brothers, Thomas Nevanen and Gerald Nevanen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Wesley Nevanen and Kathleen Connors Nevanen.

The funeral mass was held on Jan. 4 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission.