Juho Krepp

Elulugu

Dr. Juho "Joe" Krepp, 61, died following a heart attack on Monday, March 22, while on a visit in Tempe, Ariz.

A memorial service will be held on April 3, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Lincoln High School with a reception to follow at the Swenson House, 1020 Centennial Drive. All are invited to gather and say farewell to Joe before his ashes are returned to their final resting place in Estonia.

Juho was born in Tallinn, Estonia on June 10, 1942 to Sulo and Irene (Sarmo) Krepp. Juho's father was a lieutenant in the Finnish Army in World War II. He was killed when Juho was only 2 years old. Juho and his widowed mother escaped the Red Army for Sweden.

Juho stayed in Sweden for seven years and attended grade school. His mother married Paavo Loosberg, a Finnish war veteran of Estonian descent, who became Juho's father for the rest of his days. The entire family moved to Canada in 1951.

Juho attended high school in Toronto and was very active in sports and the Boy Scout movement. After high school he entered the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. Soon after, Juho was accepted to the School of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario and he also became a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

During his university years Juho played intercollegiate football and was a part-time musician in several local bands.

After receiving his medical degree, Juho served as a medical officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ontario and Ottawa. To complete his specialty in obstetrics and gynecology, Juho re-entered the university and became chief intern at the Montreal General Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

After finishing his studies, he served as a medical officer in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 10 years. He was appointed as acting commanding officer of Canadian Forces Base Hospital in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He left the military in 1982 to build a private practice in Thief River Falls, where he provided over 22 years of medical care to women and children in northwest Minnesota. Throughout his career, colleagues, patients and friends have recognized him as compassionate in his resolve to help others. Juho was a dedicated medical professional, a down-to-earth friend, a loving father, partner, son, brother, uncle and grandfather.

Survivors include his partner Karen Wiggins, her daughter Aryanna and son Rocky; his former wife Diane; his daughters Kersti, Melanie, Karina (Christien); one son Sean Paavo (Kaidi); his parents Irene and Paavo Loosberg; brother Andres (Susan); one grandson; one nephew; and many cousins, colleagues and friends.