Emma Sophia Leinonen, 93, of Cokato passed away on Feb. 16, 2006, at the Cokato Manor. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Ed Groop officiating. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery. Emma is survived by daughters, Gloria (Robert) Dobratz of Hutchinson, Kathy (Neil) Seiffert of Annandale, Patty (Ron) Karels of Paynesville, Linda Leinonen of Crystal and son, Bob Leinonen; grandchildren, Paul Dobratz of Mankato, Becky (Troy) Puckett of Waconia, Steven Dobratz of Parkers Prairie and fiancé Amanda, Jodie (Chris) Pahl of Blaine, Julie (Zach) Flann of St. Paul, Cassie (Paul) Albinson of Crystal, Lisa Leinonen of Long Lake, Ryan (Ghislaine) Seiffert of Fayetteville, N.C,, Aaron Seiffert of Annandale and fiancé Shannon, Hollie Seiffert of Roseville, Simon Karels of Alexandria, Sara (Gerry) Uhlenkamp of Lake Henry, Stephanie Karels of Albany and fiancé Jake, Stacy Markgraf of Paynesville and fiancé Luke; great-grandchildren, Justin and Jaclynn Karels, Hezekiah and Caleb Albinson, Isaac and Emma Markgraf, Amanda and Ashley Puckett, Ellie and Ethan Zimmerman, Brendan, Nicholas and Kaitlyn Uhlenkamp; sister, Norma Larson, sister-in-law, Agnes (Ray) Saksa of Cokato and sister-in-law, Edna Leinonen. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John; brothers, Emil, Nick, Simon and Bill; sisters, Minnie, Martha, Mary, Millie and Hilja. Emma Sophia Leinonen was born Feb. 29, 1912, in French Lake Township to John and Minnie (Luma) Korpela. She went to Dewey School until 8th grade. She lived and worked at home with her folks until she married John Leinonen on June 10, 1939, at the Knapp, North Crow River Lutheran Church Parsonage. The couple made their home at the Leinonen farm in French Lake Township. Emma was a member at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and served on many committees. She was chairperson of the cleaning committee, was on flowers and altar committee and was a Sunday school teacher for 40 years. Emma served lunch for the annual cemetery board meetings for many years. Emma was a homemaker all her life. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Blessed be her memory. Casket bearers: Paul Albinson, Paul Dobratz, Steven Dobratz, Zachery Flann, Simon Karels, Chris Pahl, Troy Puckett, Aaron Seiffert, Ryan Seiffert and Gerald Uhlenkamp Music: Margaret Groop and Helen Mattila.
