Sophie Elina Limanen

Sophie Elina (Johnson) Limanen, age 94, of Cloquet, MN, formerly of Menahga, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, MN, with her family by her side. 

 Sophie Johnson was born at home in Meadow Township, MN, now Menahga, MN, on May 19, 1930, the daughter of the late Oscar and Lillian (Samuelson) Johnson. She attended country school and was proud of earning her driver’s license and motorcycle license and riding around her red Honda motorcycle. On March 26, 1949, she was married to Melvin Limanen at her parent’s home. The couple made their home in Sebeka, Verndale, Crystal, and finally settled down a mile east of Menahga. During her career she worked as a babysitter, at a turkey processing plant in Frazee, at Menahga Nursing Home as a Certified Nursing Assistant, as a home health aide, and owned her own hobby store in Menahga, Sophie’s Arts and Crafts and volunteered at the Menahga Museum. She loved to pick blueberries and knew all the best places and even had a blueberry theme for her kitchen. She loved to garden and canned everything herself. An avid crafter, she made intricate and delicate crochet pieces and quilts for all her grandchildren. She also drove to Wadena to learn square dancing. In 2004, she and Melvin sold their home in Menahga and moved to Cloquet, MN. They were married for 62 years when Melvin sadly passed away in 2011. 

 Sophie is survived by her children, Wilbert (Phyllis) Limanen, Rodney (Dorothy) Limanen, Cindy Limanen, and Corrine (Ken) Stoltz; numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; and siblings, Elsie Erickson, Emil Johnson, and Milia Gwin; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Lillian Johnson; husband, Melvin Limanen; grandchildren, Jarod and Zachary Limanen; brothers, Albert and George Johnson; daughter-in-law, Sharon Limanen; and sisters-in-law, Lila, Janice, and Dorothy Johnson. 

Celebration of Life for Sophie will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:00 am at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, 608 Park Ave S Park Rapids, MN, 56740, with a time for visitation 1 hour before the service. A private family interment will take place at Jim Cook Cemetery in Menahga, MN. 

 Arrangements entrusted to Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.