Mitchel Milo Rahier

          Mitchel (Mitch) Milo Rahier, age 70, of rural Bigfork passed away on March 20, 2024, at St. Lukes Hospital in Duluth, MN

          Born in International Falls on December 15, 1953, to Milo (Junie) Mitchel Rahier and Jean Theresa Haisman.  The family relocated to the Bigfork area, where Mitch attended school and graduated in 1973.  He was an altar boy at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Bigfork.  Mitch loved the outdoors and took on many jobs at an early age; a newspaper delivery boy, lawncare, running the movie projector at the town theater, running his own trap line, a stockman at the local grocery store.  He earned the name “Diamond” from one of his early employers and soon carved out his place in the timber industry as an independent self-employed logger, his chosen field.

          He married and divorced just out of high school, Charmaine Bluntach.  They had two  children, Daughter Michelle (Dean) Haley and son Michael (Aimee) Rahier.  In 1979 Mitch married Mary Cox and they had a son, Jesse Rahier.  Together, with his wife Mary and sons, Mike and Jesse, they spent the following years building their family owned and operated logging company.  Rahier Logging held a unique seat amongst the other logging owner/operators because of his independent status, not owing to any Mill, but not receiving the benefit of company rates or logging company timber.  Mitch drew strength from the self-made status and felt honor by earning it.  He ran his company with vigor and pride, employing many individuals new to the logging industry.  He earned the title of being one of the toughest employers to work for, but those who did grew to respect those methods and often gained from them.  In his free time Mitch stayed closely tuned into the area high school athletics programs to follow the achievements of his grandchildren, relatives, and other area children.

          Due to health reasons, Mitch and his wife moved to Waskish, MN in 2000.  His sons ran the family business and worked on their own careers until they returned, and Mitch retired.

          Mitch had deep roots in the Bigfork area, and he truly enjoyed its history.  Although before his time, his claim in that history was his maternal grandmother.  Estelle Kloudnicki-Haisman-Solvo-Koski’s owning and operating the first in the area, steakhouse known as “The Marcell Inn” in 1938 and later running the Deer Trails Resort on North Star Lake.  He also relished listening to the Bigfork “old timers” often repeating their stories as originally told, including voice impressions to entertain at family functions and social gatherings.  Yes, Mitch was the family storyteller and will be sadly missed by his surviving relatives; Mother, Jean Rahier, Marcell, Daughter, Theresa Delorme, Blaine, Diane (Larry) Randall, Bemidji, Brother Gordon (Evie) Rahier, Northome, Sister, Janice (Steve) Hendrickson, Cambridge.  Sister, June Rahier, Marcell, Wife, Mary Rahier, Daughter, Michelle (Dean) Haley Bigfork, Son, Michael (Aimee) Rahier, Son, Jesse Rahier, Bigfork, 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

            He is preceded in death by his father, Milo (Junie) Rahier, Sister Annie Gunderson, and his beloved therapy dog, Lucy Rahier.

          His final journey was riddled with pain and stroke related complications but endured with courage and candor and with care from his loved ones.  He is now at peace with God and his beloved family members, already parted.

            A private gathering of family and close friends is being planned for a later date.  

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