Elaine Louise Skoog

Elaine Louise Skoog of Menahga, passed away peacefully at home, under the care of St. Josephs Hospice, on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 23 days. Elaine was born to Matt and Lydia (Leinonen) Haverinen on February 6, 1929 in Blueberry Township, Menahga, Minnesota. Elaine was baptized and confirmed into the Apostolic Lutheran Church and was a current member of the Sebeka Apostolic Lutheran Church. She was raised on the family farm, attending the District #28 South Country School and later obtaining employment in Minneapolis for a number of years before returning to Menahga. There she was united in marriage to Walter Melvin Skoog at her parents home, on September 20, 1952. They lived in Osage, Detroit Lakes, and rural Menahga before settling in the Wolf Lake area to raise their family. Elaine will be remembered as a warm and loving stay-at-home mother, providing guidance and love to both her own children and the many others that visited through the years. As her family grew up, Elaine returned to work outside the home at St. Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids and at the Menahga Nursing Home. Elaineand Walter left the family farm and moved into Menahga after retirement. She remained independent in her home until the age of 84, and then spent her remaining years in the home of her daughter Sue and her family.  Elaine is lovingly remembered by her children; two daughters, Debra Hjermstad (Kevin) Osage, MN and Susan Tolkkinen (Loren) Menahga, MN; seven sons, David Skoog of St. Cloud, MN, Paul Skoog (Sherry) Orono, MN, James Skoog (Yvonne) Menahga, MN, Philip Skoog (Karen) Orono, MN, Lowell Skoog (Karen) Menahga, MN, Steven Skoog (Diane) Menahga, MN, and Joel (Kaarina) Watertown, MN; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; two sisters, (Helen Koskela and Elsie Salmen) and one brother (Douglas Haverinen). Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband Walter, four sisters (Leona Haverinen, Edna Berttunen, Lillian Lustila, and Dorothy Hillukka), four brothers (Clifford, Edwin, Leonard and Arthur Haverinen) and three grandchildren (Amber Hjermstad, Ashley Skoog, and Ethan Hjermstad). Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at Runeberg Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Menahga, MN. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, June 4, 2018 at Runeberg Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Menahga, MN. Interment will be at Balmi Cemetery.