Laila Honkanen

Private family services will be held for Laila Johanna Honkanen, 96, of Gilbert. Burial will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Mrs. Honkanen died Saturday, September 27, 2014 at St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. She was born on January 16, 1918 to John and Hulda (Hammerstrom) Niemi in Gackle, ND. Laila graduated from the Gilbert High School and was a lifelong resident of Gilbert. She had been employed by the Cluett-Peabody Shirt Factory in Eveleth. Laila was united in marriage to Allan K. Honkanen in 1950. Laila was a member of the United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth, having served on the ELCA Women and teaching Sunday School. She was also a member of the Gilbert Senior Citizens. She is survived by her husband, Allan; two sons, Rodney (Ruth) Honkanen of Mendota Heights, MN and David (Laurie Lewandowski) Honkanen of Eagan, MN; two granddaughters, Lindsey and Kyra Honkanen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers: John, Edwin, Elmer, Eino, and Robert; five sisters: Esther, Vera, Fannie, Evelyn, and Violet Koski