Violet Yliniemi

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 5, 2011 at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN.VISITATION : 4-7:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.INTERMENT : Pickerel Lake Cemetery, Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS : Her children: Geraldine Weaver of Ponsford, MN, Hilda (Larry) Sowden of Park Rapids, Daniel (Margaret) Yliniemi of Ponsford and Kimberly (Jeff) Putnam of Dassel, MN; l5 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; 15 step-great grand Children; 3 sisters: Lila Yliniemi of Park Rapids, Helen (Archie) Henderson of Osage and Verniel (Bob) Latto of Anchorage, AK; l step-brother, Elmer (Mary Jane) Bohjanen of Menahga; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters: Mildred and Elsie; her brother, Arlie; her two sons-in-law, Roger Weaver and Donald Lydell and a great grandchild, Emma. VIOLET MARY YLINIEMIJune 9, 1927 " September 2, 2011 Violet Mary Yliniemi, age 84 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly a long time Ponsford,MN area resident, was ushered into eternity on Friday morning, September 2, 2011 with her loved ones at her side. Violet was born on June 9, 1927 in Gilbert, MN to William and Ida (Kinnunen) Longfors. As a small child, she moved with her family to the Snellman, MN area. She attended country school near her home. At the age of 9, Violet went to live with her grandmother and uncle where she cared for her bedridden grandma for three years. As a teenager, she ventured to Seattle with her cousins and worked for Boeing making B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II. She returned to Minnesota in 1947 and was married to Ervin Yliniemi on October 4th of that year. The young couple engaged in farming together on the Ponsford Prairie. This union was blessed with four children: Geraldine, Hilda, Daniel and Kimberly. Violet dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her family. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious Swedish meatballs, apple strudel and caramel popcorn balls. She would often work late into the night sewing dresses, coats and all other kinds of clothing for her growing children. Each spring she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she would nurture into fruitful abundance to preserve for the needs of her growing family. In addition to caring for her family, Violet also worked along side her husband in helping with the milking and other farm chores each day. In the mid-60"s, Violet went to work outside the home. She worked as a coat pattern designer for Ringer Manufacturing, she managed the Senior Dining Center in Osage and worked as a cook at the Village of the Smoky Hills. She was also talented at working with her hands and ran a furniture reupholstering business out of her home. Her life was deeply saddened by the death of her husband, Ervin in 1977 after being married just short of 30 years. In her spare time, Violet enjoyed quilting and sewed a lot of love into each quilt she made for her children and all her grandchildren. She was a passionate woodworker and took special pride in making all of her loved ones Christmas presents each year. After selling the family farm in the fall of 1996, Violet moved into Osage where she enjoyed gardening and woodcarving. In 2004, she moved into the Park Villa Apartments in Park Rapids. Violet had a strong faith and was a long time member of the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake. Above all, Violet devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. Violet is survived by her children: Geraldine Weaver of Ponsford, MN, Hilda (Larry) Sowden of Park Rapids, Daniel (Margaret) Yliniemi of Ponsford and Kimberly (Jeff) Putnam of Dassel, MN; l5 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; 15 step-great grand Children; 3 sisters: Lila Yliniemi of Park Rapids, Helen (Archie) Henderson of Osage and Verniel (Bob) Latto of Anchorage, AK; l step-brother, Elmer (Mary Jane) Bohjanen of Menahga; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters: Mildred and Elsie; her brother, Arlie; her two sons-in-law, Roger Weaver and Donald Lydell and a great grandchild, Emma. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 5, 2011 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN with Pastor Dennis Hannu officiating. Organist will be Deborah Aho. Congregational hymns will be "On Eagle"s Wings", "Jesus Loves Me", "In The Sweet Bye and Bye", and "I"ve Got a Mansion." Special music will be "Softly and Tenderly" and "Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone." Active casketbearers will be: Larry Sowden, Jeff Putnam, Roger Randy Weaver, Bruce Weaver, Dennis Weaver, Jason Yliniemi, Jeremiah Yliniemi and Aaron Yliniemi. Honorary casketbearers will be: Dorothy Koskiniemi, Margaret Yliniemi, Mary Phillippi, Cindy Chaput, Marsha Pynn, Lynn Just, Michelle Larson, Tonja Aho, Tina Rousu, Karla Yliniemi, and Hannah Putnam. Interment will be made in Pickerel Lake Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN.