Lenore Ellen Maaninga

Lenore Ellen (Sibrava) Maaninga, 91 years old passed away on June 25, 2023 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Nora was born to Ed and Hattie Louise (Blanchard) Sibrava on March 4, 1932 during the Great Depression. She was born at home, a small baby. Her incubator was the oven to keep her warm and fed Eagle Brand as she could not drink milk. Nora graduated from Menahga High School in 1949. On February 3, 1950 she married Archie Maaninga. They had six children: John, Vickie, Deborah, Lori, Kathy and Steven. Both boys died early in life. Archie died in 1968 and Nora was now alone to raise four daughters. Lenore enjoyed working at the Menahga School as an aide and then after Archie’s death worked at the Menahga Bank for 25 years. One passion of Lenore’s was to travel. She enjoyed many trips - some abroad, cruises, Mexico and all over the USA. Often her sister Glenda was her travel companion. She traveled with her daughters to deliver or pick up horses, out to Idaho to see Kathy, Greg and children, for supper in Huntersville on several occasions and out to eat with special friends. Lenore comes from a family of dancers and musicians, often going to dances or parties to “shake a leg”. A long-time member of First English Lutheran in Menahga, Nora helped with many volunteer activities. Also an active member at the Menahga Museum volunteering time and energy to keep things open. A caregiver to many, she taught us about loving others and giving of our time. She cared for many family members and friends throughout the years!! Always someone else with her on the ride to family activities. Lenore was preceded in death by her husband Archie, parents Ed and Hattie; sons: John and Steven, grandson Joshua Mark Anderson and two great grandson’s: Tredd and Talon Hanninen. She is survived by her daughters: Vickie (Gregory) Paurus of Sebeka, Deborah (Michael) Anderson of Sebeka, Lori Anderson of Brainerd, and Kathy (Greg) Katainen of Idaho Falls, ID; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Nora also has two sisters: Glenda (Dennis) Komulainen of Menahga and Sandra (Richard) Berttunen of Winkelman, AZ. Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 10 at First English Lutheran in Menahga with a 10 a.m. visitation and a 11 a.m. service with interment at Jim Cook Cemetery