LYYLI  SAIMA SCHWARTZ
August 23, 1926 – September 25, 2010

Lyyli Saima Schwartz, age 84, a life long Menahga, MN area resident, peacefully entered the gates of Heaven unexpectedly on Saturday morning, September 25, 2010 at the Woodside Manor Assisted Living Apartments in Menahga.
Lyyli was born on August 23, 1926 near Detroit Lakes, MN to William and Saima (Tyypo) Kuismi. At the age of two, she moved with her family to a farm in Green Valley Township northwest of Menahga. There she attended the District 63 country school near the home farm. As a young teenager she moved to live with her older sister, Sally to help out with raising her nieces and nephews and do other domestic chores. On August 29, 1944, Lyyli was united in marriage to Elmer Schwartz at the home of Rev. Jacob Erkkila near Wolf Lake, MN. This union was blessed with ten children: Kathleen, Karen, Bernice, Russell, Barbara, Sarah, Edwin, Stella, Roy and Lyle. The young couple engaged in farming in Green Valley Township where they raised their children, a fine herd of dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens. Lyyli assisted her husband in working hard in the fields turning the rugged land into a productive farm and raising the crops needed to feed their livestock. In addition, Lyyli devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and family. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade Finnish flatbreads and mojakka. She would often work late into the night sewing pretty dresses for her precious girls or mending clothes for her active and growing boys. Many years she planted a large vegetable garden which she nurtured into fruitful abundance to preserve for her growing family. Lyyli faithfully attended the Pickeral Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake where she enjoyed worshipping the Lord and fellowshipping with other believers. She endured the heartache of losing her husband, Elmer in 1974 and her daughter, Stella in a tragic accident in 1978 at the tender age of 18. For the past 2 ½ years, Lyyli has made her home at Woodside Manor in Menahga; but, looked forward to visiting the old farmhouse filled with all the wonderful memories of a life lived well on the old farm now owned by her son, Lyle and daughter-in-law, Denise. Above all, Lyyli devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Kathleen (Paul) Shephersky of Zim, MN, Karen (Edwin) Makinen of Park Rapids, Bernice (Allen) Skaro of Menahga, Russell (Carol) Schwartz of Menahga, Barbara (Steve) Frame of Nevis, MN, Sarah (Curtis) Howard of Menahga, Edwin (Barbara) Schwartz of Menahga, Roy (Brenda) Schwartz of Menahga, Lyle (Denise) Schwartz of Menahga; 27 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; l brother, Leonard (Luella) Kuismi of Menahga; 3 sisters: Ellen Santi of Menahga, Martha Ollenkato of Ashland, WI and Irene (Floyd) Harvala of Park Rapids; 2 sisters-in-law, Raija Kuismi of Florida and Esther LaFortune of Mitchell, SD; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Lyyli was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her daughter, Stella; l grand daughter, Jada in 1980; a great grandson, Lance in 2003; a son-in-law, Norman Hasbrouck in 1987; 2 brothers: Onnie and an infant brother, Leslie; 2 sisters: Sally and Ingrid and granddaugher-in-law, Emelia Howard.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Pickeral Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church near Wolf Lake with James Yliniemi officiating. The casketbearers will be grandsons: Benjamin Schwartz, Tyler Schwartz, Levi Schwartz, Clyde Schwartz, Jeremy Howard, Travis Howard, Wade Hasbrouck, Wayne Makinen, Aaron Skaro and Ted Skaro. The honorary casketbearers will be the rest of the grandchildren: Jacqueline Schmelzer, Erwin Makinen, Kenneth Makinen, Amanda Farlee, Katie Royster, Scott Skaro, Roxanne Gilbert, Tammy Basswood, Shawna Ogundeji, Alesia Hasbrouck, Jessica Noriega, Cora Henderson, Rebecca Toso, Christopher Schwartz, Tanner Schwartz, Austen Schwartz, and Leah Schwartz. Interment will be made in the Schwartz family plot in the Green Valley Cemetery near Menahga. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, October 1 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and l hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Following the funeral service a luncheon will be hosted by the Pickeral Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church.