Ethel A. Niemi

Memorial service for Ethel Adele Niemi, 84, of Virginia, formerly of Palo, will be 2pm Sunday, September 4, 2011 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Rev. Douglas Sathren officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo, MN. Ethel died Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 at St. Michael's Health and Rehab Center in Virginia. She was born Dec. 17, 1926 in Biwabik, MN to John and Hulda Ostlund. Ethel attended school in Markham and Aurora. On May 16, 1947 she married Oscar Niemi in Eveleth, MN. Ethel worked as a manager for the Palo Cooperative Store for several years. Ethel was a homemaker and PTA volunteer who especially enjoyed fishing. Survivors include her children, Linda (Kenny) Pulkinen of Embarrass, Jack Niemi of Homer, Alaska and Joyce (Steven) Ridlon of Palo; four grandchildren, Tina (Marty) Petron, Eric (Heather) Pulkinen, Kyle (Kathy) Ridlon and Jesse Ridlon; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Verna Kivisto of Duluth; nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and the staff and caregivers at St. Michael's Health and Rehab who became like family to her. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Hulda; husband, Oscar; a daughter in infancy; and a sister, Jane Koivisto.