Ellen Martha Karkinen

Ellen Martha Karkinen, age 84, of Menahga, passed away on August 31st, 2023, in Fargo, North Dakota. Ellen was born on August 15th, 1939, in Becker County, to Edward and Hilma (Fjelborg) Wuollet, the youngest of their seven children. Ellen attended country school in her younger years, then attending high school in Menahga, participating in glee and pep club, graduating in 1957. Ellen worked at a bakery following graduation. On October 29, 1957, she married Melvin Karkinen, with whom she farmed right alongside with milking cows, baling hay, and the never ending job of picking rocks. They retired from farming in 1986. Ellen also worked at Green Pine Acres in the dietary department, retiring after nineteen years. Ellen had two children, Michael and his wife Jeanette, Marie and her husband Allen Entwistle III. Ellen had 4 granddaughters, and many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren of whom she thought of as her own. Ellen enjoyed music, polka and waltzes were her favorites, along with listening to Daniel O’Donell. Seeing him live in concert was something she really enjoyed. She also played the organ, keyboard, and any one of her four accordions. She crocheted many afghans, pillowcases, table cloths, and doll clothes. Ellen also taught herself how to swedish weave, making several blankets. In her free time, she enjoyed watching game shows, piecing together jigsaw puzzles, and working in her puzzle books. Babysitting her granddaughters, Alexandra and Krystyna, was always something she looked forward to. As they grew up, baking cookies was their favorite daily activity. In 2019, Ellen moved into Woodside Manor. She enjoyed socializing with her fellow neighbors and staff, as well as participating in the fun activities, including learning and performing the chimes. Ellen is survived by her son Michael, his wife Jeanette, and her daughter Marie, her husband Allen Entwistle III, her granddaughters Crystal, Heather, Alexandra, and Krystyna, sister in-laws Shirley Wuollet and Betty Karkinen, as well as many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Hilma, her infant daughter Diane, her husband Melvin, her siblings, a newborn baby boy, Verdie, Elna, Ruth, Eldon, and Vincent, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law. Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 PM on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the Wevley Funeral Home, Sebeka, MN and continue one hour prior to the service. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 11, 2023 at Wevley Funeral Home. Interment will be at Alajoki Cemetery.