Martha Siirila

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Pickerel Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake, MN.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.INTERMENT : Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS : Her daughter, Sandra Weeks of Faribault, MN; her four grandchildren: Matthew Weeks, Sophia Keilen, Thomas Brattin and Jean Baemeyer and nine great grandchildren. MARTHA ELEANORA SIIRILAJune 7, 1919 ~ June 5, 2011 Martha Siirila, age 91 of Faribault, MN formerly of the Wolf Lake/Menahga areas, passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault, MN. Martha Eleanora Siirila was born on June 7, 1919 on the home farm near Wolf Lake, MN to Victor and Sophia (Kinnunen) Myllykangas. She attended country school near her home north of Wolf Lake. As a young woman, Martha ventured to Chicago, Illinois where she furthered her education and worked as a house keeper for several families. She was united in marriage to Dudley Brattin in Chicago. This union was blessed with two children: Harry and Sandy. Martha devoted 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 pot roasts. During World War II, Martha gained employment working at a defense plant and later became a telephone operator. In the early 1960"s, Martha moved with her family to the Wolf Lake area where she purchased the Wolf Lake Locker plant where she managed and operated all phases of the business. In 1964, Martha was united in marriage to Ben Siirila. Together they operated the locker plant and farmed near Sebeka. In 1972 they moved to Northfield, MN where they resided until the time of Ben"s death in December of 1995. Martha continued to reside independently in Wolf Lake until her health caused her to move to the assisted living units at Woodside Manor and later at Rose Haven both in Menahga. Martha was an energetic woman who enjoyed being physically active by walking, bicycling and swimming. She taught her children, nieces and nephews all how to swim. Each spring she would plant a large vegetable garden which she would nurture into fruitful abundance to share with her family and friends. Martha also enjoyed raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. She was a long time member of the Pickeral Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church. For many years, Martha wrote the Wolf Lake News Columns for the Review Messenger Newspaper of Menahga and Sebeka. Above all, Martha devoted herself to the happiness of her husband, her children and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. Martha will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Sandra Weeks of Faribault, MN; her four grandchildren: Matthew Weeks, Sophia Keilen, Thomas Brattin and Jean Baemeyer; nine great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands and her son, Harry Brattin and eleven siblings. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Pickeral Lake Church near Wolf Lake, MN with James Yliniemi officiating. Active casketbearers will be: Stan Myllykangas, Adley Myllykangas, Matthew Weeks, Darwin Feldt, Jim Zick, Gene Anttila, Mike Zick, Bradley Myllykangas, and Paul Myllykangas Interment will be made in the Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake.