Martha E. Saarela

Martha Emelia Saarela, 100, died Wednesday March 28, 2012 at Willow Wood Assisted living in Eveleth, MN. Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday March 31, 2012 at Ziemer Moeglin Shatava funeral home in Aurora, MN. There will be a visitation one hour prior, and a reception at the Aurora American Legion, Rev. Joel Rova-Hegener officiating. Martha was born December 22, 1911 in Viginia, MN to Finnish immigrants Justus and Ida (Moisio) Peuranen. She attended business college in Minneapolis, and married John Saarela. Martha never won any awards for her driving ability, but she was a world class homemaker. Her children all spoke Finnish before they learned English or "town talk" in school. Martha enjoyed crochet, gardening, canning, and picking berries. She also loved to sing, and told many stories that would make you laugh. Martha is dearly loved and will be sorely missed. Martha is survived by two sons, Richard (Joyce) Saarela, Aurora, Alvin (Pat) Weirimaa, Virginia, two daughters Doris Butler, Eveleth, Beverly Rossi, Biwabik twp.; 14 grandchildren Steven, Robert, Tracy, Tracey, Sharilyn, Ricky, Kathryn, Brenda, Dorine, Barbara, Keith, Marie, Randy, Ryan; 27 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; sister Olga Leeman, brother John (Joyce) Peuranen. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband John; two sisters Fannie, Vera in infancy; two brother-in-laws Elmer Leeman, Henry Johnson; two son-in-laws George Butler, Richard Rossi.