Elaine Katherine Makela

Elaine Katherine Makela age 86, of Menahga, MN, formerly of Sebeka, MN died Monday, July 19, 2010 at Rose Haven Alternative Living Facility where she has resided for five months after surviving three strokes. Elaine was born to Leonard and Emma (Peterson) Olson on April 16, 1924 on a farm in Becker County, MN. She lived in the Sebeka and Menahga area most of her life. Elaine met her future husband, Clifford when the Olson and Makela families were neighbors on farms near Menahga. Elaine and Clifford were united in marriage on May 2, 1942. They lived in many places including Idaho, Montana and several towns in Minnesota. She worked as a cook, housekeeper and babysitter before working for Homecrest Industries in Wadena for twenty years; she also sold Avon for over fifteen years. Elaine loved to bake Finnish Flatbread and tend to her houseplants. She always sent birthday cards to family and friends to arrive on their birthday. Elaine found joy in caring for her family and her animals. She was an avid Scrabble player and liked to work on her Word Find Books. In her quiet way, Elaine always welcomed visitors for coffee and a meal. She will be missed by many. Elaine is survived by her four daughters, Betty Lou (Makela) Bieber and her husband William of Warroad, MN; Barbara Elaine (Makela) Gilman and her husband Russell of White Sulphur Springs, Montana; Beverly Jean (Makela) Zartwell of Northfield, MN; Bernice Kathryn (Makela) Hosking and her husband Scott of Farmington, MN; two sisters, Eloise (Olson) Pulju and her husband Alvin of Menahga, MN; Delores (Olson) Charmoli and her husband Joe of Menahga, MN; four sisters-in-law, Geraldine Olson, Violet Olson, Phyllis Olson and Maxine Makela; one brother-in-law Ray Moorhouse; eleven grandchildren, Kimberly Bieber, Stephani Page and her husband Tony, Rick Gilman and his wife Jeanne, Sheila Lohr and her husband Virgil, Guy Bieber, Elizabeth DiCiero and her husband Nick, Anthony Hosking, Krista Zartwell, Don Zartwell, Amanda (Zartwell) Jalowitz and her husband Chris and Nicholas Hosking; eighteen great grandchildren, Craig Gilman, Kevin Gilman, Kelly Gilman, Carli Gilman, Danielle DiCiero, Kathryn DiCiero, Gabriella DiCiero, Joseph DiCiero, Dominic DiCiero, Christian DiCiero, Zachary Bieber, Santana Page, Hayden Lohr, Angela Lohr, Hilan Lindquist, Avayla Zartwell, Collin Jalowitz and Cole Jalowitz and one great great grandchild Aiyanah Bieber and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clifford, one sister and five brothers. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, July 25, 2010 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN with Pastor Steven A. Bruer officiating. Lonnie Schmidt will serve as organist. Pastor Steven A. Bruer will solo “Borning Cry” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Congregational hymns are “Amazing Grace,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Blest Be The Tie That Binds,” and “You Are My Sunshine.” Special music will be a recording of “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Honorary Pallbearers are her sisters, Eloise Pulju and Delores Charmoli and her sons-in law, William Bieber, Russell Gilman and Scott Hosking. Active Casketbearers include Kimberly Bieber, Stephani Page, Rick Gilman, Sheila Lohr, Guy Bieber, Elizabeth DiCiero, Anthony Hosking, Krista Zartwell, Don Zartwell, Amanda (Zartwell) Jalowitz, and Nicholas Hosking. Interment will be at Mantyla Cemetery.