Ellen Hulkonen

Ellen Josephine Haabala was born at home in Moe Township, MN to Jacob and Josephine (Johnson) Haabala on February 12, 1927. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Moe Township. She has been a life long member of the church with the exception of twenty years spent in Moorhead, MN. Ellen served as Sunday school superintendent for several years and also served as president of the Mary Martha Guild. Ellen attended school art District 5 in Moe Township. She also attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN. On May 4, 1946 Ellen was united in marriage to Toivo Hulkonen. To this union were born three sons, William, David and Dennis. Ellen was a farm wife until 1964 when the family moved to Moorhead. While in Moorhead, Ellen was employed as a cook by the Moorhead school district. Upon Toivo?s retirement in 1984 they moved to Brandon, MN. Ellen, together with Toivo, enjoyed gardening and growing flowers. Many of her bouquets brought cheer to shut-ins and church alters. Ellen enjoyed cooking and baking for friends and family; there was always room for one more at her table. On Thursday, April 2, 2009 Ellen died at the age of eighty-two years. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Archie Haabala; and two sisters, Anna Hanna and Sylvia Haabala. Ellen is survived by her husband, Toivo Hulkonen of Alexandria, MN; three sons, William Hulkonen and wife, Phyllis, of Side Lake, MN, David Hulkonen and wife, Rhonda, of Vermillion, SD and Dennis Hulkonen and wife, Randi, of Kensington, MN; six grandchildren, Sarah MacDonald and husband, David, Stacy Gwenigale and husband, Ray, Shannon Hulkonen, Sherri Hulkonen, Shelley Finn and husband, Brian, and Lee Hulkonen; four great grandchildren, Ryan Toivo, Katelyn, Reina and Isabella; one brother, Verner Haabala and wife, Vi, of Moe Township; and one sister, Lillian Scherer of Greenwood, IN. A funeral service was held Monday, April 6, 2009 at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Moe Township. Reverend Ed Borchardt officiated. Michael Peterson and Mertice Brueske provided music. Interment followed in the Moe Heights Cemetery. Casket bearers included Jack Hanna, James Hulkonen, Kenneth Hanna, Ernie Kolle, Don Stein and Lee Hulkonen. Honorary casket bearers included Sarah MacDonald, Stacy Gwenigale, Shannon Hulkonen, Sherri Hulkonen, Shelley Finn, Laurel Johnson and Lois Peterson`. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home.