Linda Helen Loviisa Paananen Aho

Linda Paananen was born to Julius and Selma (Sallinen) Paananen at home in Paddock Township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. She passed away peacefully at home at 95 years of age. Linda was the sixth child in a family of eight. Having five brothers older than her, she often stated she was a tomboy doing the same things her brothers did. She attended the one room country schoolhouse that was a mile from home. When Linda was 8 years old, her brother accidentally shot Elmer, her 13 year old brother and she never liked to hear gun shots after that experience. About a year later another brother, Melvin died from a ruptured appendix at the age of 13. Mom always said she grew up in a loving home and had great respect for her parents. On December 23, 1942, Linda was united in marriage to Raphael Aurelius Aho. To this marriage 20 children were born, 12 sons and 8 daughters. The last two sons were stillborn. The couple spent their first eight years living on the Aho Brothers Farm in Wolf Lake, MN. In 1950 they purchased Linda’s home place where they farmed together for more than 40 years. To help make ends meet, Linda worked at the Swift Turkey plant in Detroit Lakes for 16 years. Linda was a very loving mother who made tasty meals, delicious flatbread and pies. She sewed hundreds of quilts and enjoyed going to garage sales. One never left hungry from their home and she knew how to rock crying babies to sleep. Linda enjoyed putting puzzles together and she would read her Bible daily and pray for each of her children by name. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons in infancy, William and Matthew, two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Ruth Aho; five brothers: Ernest (Hilda), Reino (Lillian), Elmer, Melvin, Alvin (Elaine) Paananen. One sister: Esther (Reuben) Hendrickson, Brother-in-laws: Uno, Urho (Emmi), Toivo, Arvo, Hugo (Elsie), Paul and Joel. Sister-in-laws: Helmi, Anna, Alli Aho, Ilma (Art) Suomala, and Rauha Aho. She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Armas (Pat) Aho of Menahga, Wilho (Diana) Aho of Sebeka, Ellen (Reuben) Tumberg of Sebeka, Elma (James) Keskitalo of Ottertail, Miriam (Glen) Mursu of New York Mills, David (Wanda) Aho of Rindge, NH, Jacob Aho of Menahga, Aila (David) Somero of New Ipswich, NH, Susan (Michael) Keskitalo of Ottertail, Melvin (Sari) Aho of Vancouver, WA, Mark (Shari) Aho of Menahga, Julius (Terrie) Aho of Sebeka, Sarah (Roland) Seppala of Woodruff, SC, Calvin (Wanda) Aho of Brush Prairie, WA, Ruth (Andrew) Farrey of Vancouver, WA, Andrew (Patty) Aho of Sebeka, Sandra (Roger) Hannu of Duncan, SC and Raphael Terry (Renee) Aho of Rindge, NH, 130 grandchildren, over 300 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren, Sister Hazel (Art) Skoog as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. Linda's funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM. Public visitation will be held one hour prior.