Jennie Sakkinen

Jennie Irene Sakkinen, age 95, a lifelong Menahga, MN area resident, peacefully entered eternity on October 3, 2015 at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga after being blessed with a wonderful life well lived. Jennie was born on March 9, 1920 near Wolf Lake, MN to William and Wendla (Maenpaa) Hovin. She grew up attending country school near her home and helping on the family farm. On October 28, 1935 she was united in marriage to Eddie Isaac Sakkinen. They were blessed with two daughters: Shirley and Elaine. Jennie dedicated herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and daughters. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade Finnish Mojakka and flatbreads. In addition to caring for her family, Jennie worked alongside her husband during the years they dairy farmed in caring for their livestock and helping in the fields. Each summer, she enjoyed working in her gardens raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor and nurturing her vegetables into abundant fruition to can for her growing family. She also enjoyed picking blueberries on their farm each summer to make pies and sauces. Jennie enjoyed looming homemade rugs and over the years built up a loyal customer base who bought her high quality rugs. For a number of years, Jennie worked at the Badoura State Tree Nursery. In her spare time she enjoyed hunting for treasure at area rummage sales and also doing embroidery. Jennie enjoyed visiting with family and friends; but above all devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. Jennie is survived by her daughter, Shirley Koskiniemi of Park Rapids, MN; two granddaughters: Cheryl (Rev. Donald) Main of Morris, MN and Connie (David) Strandquist of Hawley, MN; five great grandchildren: Rachel (Zachary) Anderson of Apple Valley, MN, Chanel Strandquist of Bloomington, MN, Daniel (Sara) Strandquist of Grand Junction, CO, Jacob Main of Morris, MN and Ariel Strandquist of Hopkins; as well as three precious great-great grandchildren; as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Sadly, Jennie was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie in 1993; her great grandson, Justin Main who died in 2011; her daughter, Elaine who died in 2013; two brothers: Edward Sandberg and Art Sandberg and a sister, Viola Borton. Funeral services will be held 3 PM Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga with her grandson-in-law, the Reverend Donald Main officiating and Cheryl Main will be playing the guitar. The casket bearers will be Connie Strandquist, David Strandquist, Rachel Anderson, Chanel Strandquist, Ariel Strandquist and Jacob Main. Honorary casket bearers will be the staff and residents of Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga. Interment will be made in the Menahga City Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute, please visit www.cardinipearson.com.