Cover photo for Rauno Aromäki's Obituary
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1939 Rauno 2022

Rauno Aromäki

May 11, 1939 — January 5, 2022

Hot Springs

Rauno Johannes Aromäki, age 82 of Hot Springs, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord on January 5, 2022, at the Keever center hospice facility in Asheville, North Carolina.

Rauno was born and raised in Kortesjärvi, Finland where he grew up on a farm with his parents, older sister Ritva and younger brother, Kalervo, and was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist.  Finland was under threat of the invading Soviet Red Army during Rauno's early childhood years, as a result, times were hard on the farm and food and other life essentials were rationed even for young children like Rauno. Even as a child Rauno evinced the Finnish characteristic of "Sisu" or "grit" and helped his family endure this time of trials. He graduated from secondary School in Finland attended Newbold College in the United Kingdom and then moved to the United States and lived in New York City where he was a successful investment banker at Chase Manhattan Bank.  He then moved back to Finland for a time with Chase.  However, truly knew his calling was back in America and eventually moved back and settled in Lantana, Florida.  During this time the Lord’s calling brought him back to the Seventh Day Adventist congregation there where he played an important layman’s role.  He was also a leader in the substantial Finnish community in Lantana. Rauno continued to be a successful investment banker and voiced his strong Christian values in his role there.  Rauno loved nature and he fell in love with the beauty of Madison County, North Carolina and relocated to Hot Springs in 1993.

Rauno was very active in the Seventh Day Adventist church no matter where he lived. He particularly embraced his role in the loving congregation of Waynesville, North Carolina. He was very active in the church and undertook Mission trips to Ecuador to spread the blessings of the Lord’s Gospel in accordance with the Seventh Day Adventist convention.

Rauno was a strong loving man with a calm and resolute demeanor.  He was a great friend to many and shared an abundance of wonderful memories with his congregation and his neighbors. He was always quick to offer help and assistance in times of need.  He left the strong impression of Christ’s love and the Lord’s mercy for all whom he met. He was a gifted and trusted leader or prayer as a layman at any occasion and was a devout example of Christ’s love within the Seventh Day Adventist faith.

Rauno is preceded in death by his parents, Father Eeli Aromäki; Mother, Martta Seger; his sister, Ritva Tekari nee Aromäki.  He was a loving father to Laura Ruefli nee Aromäki of New York, New York. Rauno is survived by his wife Nancy, his grandchildren, Sofia Ruefli and Grayson Ruefli.  He is also survived by his younger brother Kalervo Aromäki, and his wife, Marja Terttu. Additional nieces and nephews, Anu Aromäki-Stratos, Antti Aromäki, Johanna Fontell and Harri Tekari.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Pastor Marion Miller and Elder Bryan Myers officiating.  The congregation will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waynesville Seventh Day Adventist Church for Evangelism and Outreach Efforts.

The care of Mr. Aromäki has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rauno Aromäki, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Service

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home

296 N Main St, Waynesville, NC 28786

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Visitation following service

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Wells Funeral Home - Waynesville

296 N Main St, Waynesville, NC 28786

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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