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Elsie Koivula Obituary – 12/10/2021


Elsie Irene (Ronholm) Koivula, 95, passed away peacefully Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, at the Cokato Manor.

A memorial service will take place Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Ronholm Scholarship Fund at Augsburg University or Cokato Evangelical Church.

Arrangements are by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato; 320-286-2534; www.swansonpeterson.com.

Elsie was born in Clanwilliam, Manitoba, Canada, to Rev. Gustav and Anna Ronholm, and grew up in Newfolden, MN.

Elsie got her bachelor of arts degree from Augsburg College in 1949 and moved to Cokato, MN to begin her teaching career. She taught English at Cokato High School from 1949 to 1972, and was librarian for Dassel-Cokato High School from 1972 to 1987. When she retired, the media center was renamed “Elsie Koivula Media Center” in her honor.

Elsie married Martin Koivula in June 1954, and they continued their life in Cokato until Martin’s death in 2003.

Elsie was an active and lifetime member of Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (REAM), National Education Association, and Cokato Federated Women’s Club, where she served on the 10th District Board of Directors.

She also was very active in church activities, including quilting, Bible study, worship and music committees, coordination of lectors and the Meals on Wheels program. And, of course, assisted in the creation of the church library in 1984.

Elsie loved reading books and newspapers, especially the sports section, where she could catch up on her beloved Twins and Vikings.

She enjoyed attending concerts, plays, musicals in particular, and visiting museums. Elsie always looked forward to visits to the Chevy garage, having lunch out, and time spent with family and friends.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Martin; parents, Rev. Gustav and Anna Ronholm; siblings, Olive Ronholm, Ellen Olson Golliet, and Grace Westlund.

She is survived by brothers, Palmer (Noreen) Ronholm of San Diego, CA, James (Mary) Ronholm of St. Paul, David (Susan) Ronholm of Minneapolis; godson, James (Debra) Loe and his children Vanessa, Erica, and Evan of Northfield, sisters-in-law, Faye (Ken) LeDoux and Sandra (Richard) Ohlgren, and many nieces and nephews.

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