Timothy "Tim" James Okan of Willow River, MN passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at his home losing his courageous battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Tim was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1972. He started his own construction company after high school and married Lori (Sims) Helm in 1974. They raised their four children in Princeton, Minnesota. Tim graduated from North Hennepin Community College in 1997 with a Certificate in Building Inspection Technology and became the building inspector for the city of Oakdale, Minnesota. Later, he built and moved to a beautiful home in Ham Lake and became the building inspector for the city of Forest Lake, Minnesota.

In 2006, while playing cards at an establishment in Wyoming, Minnesota, he met Sandra Napier. Together Tim and Sandi lived in North Branch, Minnesota until Tim retired in 2019. After retirement, they officially moved to the incredible cabin/house that Tim had built at the "Napier Compound" in Willow River, Minnesota. Tim and Sandi's "Naughty Pine" Bar was always open for beverages and, most importantly, playing many games, such as board games and cribbage. Tim, like Sandi, enjoyed playing poker and it was here that Tim taught his grandchildren how to play. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought the most joy to his life.

Tim's happy place was anywhere that he was building something. He loved building large structures from scratch. If you wanted to find Tim, the most logical place to look would be the garage that he built for his workshop. Tim would use his workshop to build toy boxes, trays, and furniture. This garage is equipped with a bathroom, tv, and a recliner. If there is a tool that is needed it could be easily found in his neatly labeled drawers.

Tim enjoyed teaching his craft to anyone who wanted to learn woodworking and building. He also enjoyed working on his tractor to clear his land or help the neighbors maintain the road.

Tim is preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor and Glenn, Sr. and his sister, Linda Jarvenpaa.

Tim is survived by his loving life partner of 16 years, Sandra Napier; sons, Richard Okan (Jessie Dinham), Robert (Heather) Okan; stepson, Jeremy Wahlstrom; daughters, Katie (Kevin) Hohlen, Karie (Matt) Skarohlid; sisters, Lois Sucky, Lisa (Pat) Hamack; brothers, Glenn (Nancy) Okan, Allen (Mary) Okan, David (Jennifer) Okan, Dan (Gemma) Okan; 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held for Tim at 1pm on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the Methven Funeral Home chapel, with Chaplain Darrell Kyle officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Community Center in Rutledge, following Tim's memorial service.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.