Gladys Eufemia Kariniemi
Of South Haven, Minnesota, passed away at 11:32 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at the age of 94 years 7 months and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Hubert Kariniemi; son, Paul Werner; grandsons, Jaegar Paul Lee, Michael and David Kariniemi; great-grandchildren, Bridget Sorvala, Trevor Sorvala, Brecken Kariniemi; parents, Charles H. Halonen (Anna Jurmu), Tyyni M. Halonen; sisters, Judith Mattila, Mildred Raisanen, Sharen Anderson; brothers, Carl Halonen (Eunice), Douglas Halonen, Edward Halonen, Paul Halonen; and brothers-in-law, Mervin Mattila, Paul Ylitalo, Paul Raisanen, Daniel Kariniemi (Helen), and Albert Kariniemi; sisters-in-law, Hulda Hermanson (Otto), Signe Nelson (Norman). She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Kariniemi, Judith Waaraniemi, Anita Kariniemi, Mary Sorvala (Rodrick) and Karen Young (David); sons, Robert (Eeva), Stephen (Ann), Mark (Mirjami), Michael (Karen), Donald (Carol), and Philip (Margaret); daughter-in-law, Sandra; 100 grandchildren; 255 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Sylvia Muhonen (Walter), Virginia Lehtola (Ernest), and Lillian Ylitalo; brothers, Fred Halonen (Thelma), Donald Halonen (Florence) and Raymond Halonen (Betty); and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Hillukka, Martha Halonen, Connie Halonen, Betty Kariniemi; and brother-in-law, Gerald Anderson.
Gladys was born in a sod house on March 9, 1927 in Temvik, North Dakota to Charles and Tyyni Halonen. In 1944, they moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota in her senior year of High School and she graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1945. She went to Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota in 1946 to pursue a degree in Home Economics. Her first job was a waitress at the A&W drive-in and then after college she worked at Munsingwear in the Accounting Department.
Gladys married Paul Kariniemi on July 2, 1950 at a simple ceremony at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church on Humboldt Avenue in Minneapolis. They lived in Fulton, Michigan while Paul completed his college education. In 1951, they moved into their first home in Dearborn, Michigan. In 1956 Gladys and Paul moved to Mahtomedi, Minnesota while their house was built at 1920 Orchard Lane, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. They lived there until September of 1968 when they moved to Plymouth, Minnesota until retiring at the cabin on Lake Sylvia in 1990.
Gladys enjoyed being a hostess for family and friends at her home in Plymouth and at Lake Sylvia in South Haven. She swam 500 strokes in the morning in the Summer at the lake and cross-country skied in the Winter. She decorated well for Christmas and the tree was her favorite. The Chi Rho family Christmas party meant a lot to her. Gladys began the first Finn class at the University of Minnesota. Her favorite pastimes were her flower gardens and Fall walks in the woods. Gladys and Paul traveled extensively.
The most important thing to our dear Mother was her personal faith. She often provided gentle reminders and correction to us kids when needed, and spent many nights up waiting for one of us to get home. Mom loved to sing. One of her favorite songs was, “Oh Look at the Bird on the Branch of the Tree.” Faith and attending services was on her mind even in her last days. As recently as a week before she died, at 4:00 in the morning, she sat up in bed and told one of her children: “There are services tomorrow, are you going to ride with us?” She has now reached the Heavenly home.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Cokato Laestadian Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Friday, November 12, 2021 from 5-8 PM with a 7PM prayer service, and continue 1 hour prior to the service on Saturday, all at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com
Nov
09