Archie Edwin Lahti

Archie Edwin Lahti, age 92, of Little Canada, formerly Fridley, MN, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Cardigan Ridge Senior Living in Little Canada, MN, after suffering much grief from the recent passing of his beloved wife, Vivian. 

Archie was born on August 30, 1930, in a farmhouse in Pike Township in northern Minnesota. He graduated from Embarrass High School in 1948. After graduation, he worked in the iron ore mines near Virginia, MN and helped his parents on the farm. He served in the Army during the Korean war and was assigned to the Signal Corps. He then attended RCA Institutes in New York City, graduating in1956. He was employed in the Twin Cities by Univac, which later became Unisys. He is listed as the inventor and co-inventor on nine United States patents.

Archie met his wife Vivian on a blind date and they were married in 1955. They were longtime residents of Fridley, MN for 60 years. Their young family survived the tornadoes of May 1965, where their house was totally destroyed and had to be rebuilt. 

Archie enjoyed nature and the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and deer hunter. He enjoyed hunting trips every year with his sons and other family members and friends at his childhood farm property, as well as yearly hunting trips to Wyoming with a dear group of buddies.  He instilled the love of camping and the outdoors with his family on many trips throughout Minnesota and the western United States and Canada. He was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter. He built the family cabin on the Whiteface Reservoir with his sons after taking an early retirement. Archie also enjoyed shooting sports and was involved in a trap shooting league for many years. 

Archie was a longtime active member of the Fridley American Legion Post 303. He also enjoyed 

studying history, reading, cross country skiing, and traveling.

Archie is preceded in death by his parents Hilja (Saari) and John Lahti, wife Vivian, and brother Roy. He is survived by children Harold (Yvonne) Lahti, William Lahti, Carol Lahti (Dean Becker), and Linda (Kevin) Wendland; grandchildren Amanda (Zach) Gardner, Jordan (Sara) Lahti, Jared Lahti, Justin Lahti, Michael (Haruna) Wendland, Suzanne Becker, Erik Becker, Isabella Wendland, and Derek Wendland; and great grandchildren Nevaeh Gardner, Liam Gardner, Harper Gardner, Noah Lahti, and Ruth Lahti; and other relatives and friends. 

Archie’s family is thankful for the kind, gentle, and compassionate care provided to him by Cardigan Ridge especially in his final days.