Agnes Sylvia Saksa, age 94, of Cokato, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
She was born at home in French Lake Township Jan. 31, 1914, the daughter of John and Edna Leinonen. Agnes grew up on the farm with three brothers and three sisters, and attended Myrback School.
Agnes was united in marriage to Ray Saksa July 16, 1938. They started out their married life on a small farm in Albion Township, before moving to the family farm in 1941, where they became dairy farmers and raised five children.
In 1981, they built and moved to a home on Granite Lake, and then moved to Cokato in 2002.
Agnes enjoyed needlework and sewing. She was an excellent cook and baker, and liked to garden and help with the farm work. She was very active in her church, and enjoyed music.
Ray and Agnes loved to travel; some of the many places they visited were Finland, Hawaii, the Holy Land, and many places in the US. They also spent 21 winters in Arizona.
Agnes is survived by her children, Phillip (Ruth Ann) Saksa of Detroit, MI, Joanne (Gary) Jones of Cokato, Carol (Lee) Escobedo of Tucson, AZ, Marie (Harley) Wilson of South Haven, and Jonathan (Janet) Saksa of Dassel; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ray; an infant daughter; siblings; granddaughter-in-law; and two infant great-grandchildren.
The funeral service took place Monday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. at Albion Evangelical Free Church, north of Cokato. Pastors Allen Jones and Philip Geoffrion officiated. Music was provided by Bonnie Jones and Rod and Marilyn Twitchell. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery.
Visitation was Sunday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Casket bearers were Allen Jones, Dale Jones, Lonnie Jones, Charles Jones, Nate Wilson, Ned Wilson, Duwayne Escobedo, Trevor Saksa, Todd Saksa, Trent Saksa, and Brian Saksa.
The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato handled the arrangements.
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