Marie Ellen Liimatta

Marie Ellen Liimatta age 63, of Menahga, Minnesota died Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Vibra Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. Memorial Services for Marie Liimatta will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with visitation 5-8 p.m. on Friday, March 7 and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Pastor Steven A. Bruer will officiate. Honorary Pallbearers are her nieces, nephews and grandchildren Aaron and Alexis Niska. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley at a later date. Marie was born April 14, 1950 in Sebeka, Minnesota, the daughter of Stephen and Helmi (Tomperi) Niska. Marie attended elementary and secondary school in Sebeka and graduated from Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, MN. After high school Marie attended the Commercial Business School in Minneapolis, after graduating she moved back to Menahga where she met Steven Liimatta. They were united in marriage on the 24th of June 1972 at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga. Marie and Steve made their home a few miles outside Menahga, Minnesota. Marie was a wife and mother enjoying her early married life on the farm being a natural with all animals. On the farm she enjoyed her dogs, beautiful garden, and horses. Marie was passionate about her horses, rescuing many horses and adopting and training several wild mustangs. She was also a natural people person taking over management of the Menahga Liquor Store in 1976. As manager she made 'the Muni' a safe and fun gathering place for the local residents. During her leadership a major renovation was conducted and paid off in a few years. Halloween parties and other entertainment were enjoyed by locals and travelers. Marie retired from the Menahga Liquor Store after more than 25 years; she then managed the Elks in Wadena for three years, and finally worked at Wal-Mart for three years until her retirement. Marie was also a vocal supporter of the athletic programs at Menahga High School, conducting several fundraisers to get jackets and other items for the football team. In her later years Marie enjoyed her flowers and loved traveling, visiting her son and grandchildren and visiting her family in Arizona. Marie was looking forward to many more visits to warmer climates. Marie will be dearly missed by her husband, Steve Liimatta; her son, Brice Niska, and his wife Marie, of Monument, CO; her grandchildren Aaron and Alexis Niska, also her sister Karen (David) Kohl of Gilbert, AZ and brother, Elmer (Toni) Niska of Hillsboro, OR; mother-in-law Ethel Benson, her brother-in-laws Ken Sahr and Roger (Peggy) Liimatta, her sisters-in-law Jeanne (Jody) Bjornson and Joan (Darwin) Anderson and her many nieces and nephews. Preceding Marie in death were her parents, her brother Art Niska and her sisters May Sahr and Helen Dietz.