Evelyn Makela of Bayfield, Wis., formerly of Eagan and Aurora, Minn., died Thursday, April 18, 2017, at her home. She was 95.
Plans for a memorial service in the future are pending. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora, Minn.
Evelyn J. Makela was born Nov. 16, 1921, in Kingston, Minn., the youngest of 16 children to Matt A. and Hilda (Merila) Leppa. She graduated from Litchfield High School in 1939. On May 2, 1942, Evelyn was united in marriage to Matt Makela Jr., in Minneapolis. Evelyn and Matt made their home and raised their children in the country three and one-half miles south of Aurora, in the home where Matt had been raised. Evelyn worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Aurora, for 26 years, retiring in 1981 as a postal supervisor. Evelyn loved to read and garden and to feed the birds that visited her backyard feeders. She enjoyed fishing at their cabin on Lake Vermilion, Tower, and later when they sold the cabin, she and Matt fished for lake trout at Crow Lake, Ontario, with longtime friends Toivo and Martha Enberg.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Matt May 14, 1982. She was also preceded in death by all of her siblings: sisters Esther (and Elmer) Lundeen, Sophie (and Harry) Marks, Hanna (and Bill) Besonen, Lillian (and Herb) Hess, Helen (and John) Auvinen; and brothers William (and Emma) Leppa, Axel Frederick Leppa, Levi L. Leppa, Edwin (and Daisy) Leppa, Oscar (and Irene) Leppa, Ben (and Hazel) Leppa, Karl ?ÄúCharlie?Äù (and Laina) Leppa, and Walter ?ÄúPete?Äù (and Alice) Leppa, plus two brothers who died as children (Axel No. 1 and Levi No. 1).
She is survived by daughter Constance Makela of Bayfield, Wis., sons Ron (and Vickie) Makela of Bayfield, and Gary (and Tatsuko) Makela of Nikko, Japan; grandson Brian Makela of Wheaton, Ill., granddaughter Ginger Makela (and Jason) Riker of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and great-grandchildren Gavin and Harper Makela of Wheaton, Ill. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families around the country.
The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the wonderful care and support they and their mother received from Regional Hospice Services, Ashland, Wis., particularly Michelle, Janet, Andrew, Kirsten and Ken.
Condolences or memorials may be directed to: Constance Makela, 231 N 1st Street #102, Bayfield WI 54814. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Minnesota (218) 624-5200.