WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Dana Mark Harju, 57, of Harju Street, Wakefield, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home on Monday, March 5, 2012.

He was born Aug. 17, 1954, in Wakefield, son of the late Axel and Selma (Seppa) Harju. Dana attended local schools in Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School with the class of 1972. He also attended Gogebic Community College and Madison Area Technical College, earning associate degrees from both schools.

Dana lived and worked in Ishpeming, Madison, Wis., Denver, Minneapolis and Chicago before returning to Wakefield. During the past 15 years, he has been employed as a chairlift operator at local ski hills.

In his earlier years, Dana was a member of the Ironwood Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, playing lead soprano bugle, and was noted for his solo performances. He remained a lifelong Drum Corps fan and avidly followed DCI competitions.

Dana was proud of his Finnish heritage and was an avid outdoorsman. He was proud of his community and the beauty of the Upper Peninsula. In the past, he volunteerer at the Wakefield Visitor Center, where he could share his knowledge of the area.

He will be remembered by his many friends for his sense of humor and storytelling skills.

Dana is survived by two brothers, Alan (Nancy) Harju, Buffalo Grove, Ill., and Michael Harju, Lansing; a sister, Denise Harju, Burnsville, Minn.; nieces and nephews, Allison and Mark Harju, Jason (DaRyl) Harju, Jerilyn (Eric) Mannion, Carrie (Miguel) Silva-Harju, Erin Seymour and Megan (Steve) Griffore; and special friend Kathy Bednar-Ghiardi.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, March 16, from 5 to 6 p.m., at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam Blvd., Wakefield, where a funeral service will follow at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.

A luncheon will be served in the church fellowship hall following the service.

The Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.