Elaine Kleimola Leinonen

SEATTLE, Wash. — Elaine Kleimola Leinonen, 79, passed away on May 9, 2013, near Seattle.

She was born Aug. 29, 1934, the daughter of Jacob Kleimola and Elizabeth (Toolanen) Kleimola Sikkila. Elaine graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, Mich., with the class of 1951.

Elaine was married to Karl Leinonen for 43 years before he preceded her in death in September 1995.

Surviving are three daughters, Terry Aldrich, of Redford, Mich., Vicky O’Mara, of Westland, Mich., and Caprice Leinonen, of Bellevue, Wash .; three sons, Jerry Leinonen, of Calumet, Mich., David Leinonen, of El Mira, Mich., and Brock Leinonen, of Westland; 12 grandchildren, Scott and Phil Fountain, Carmen Osier, Jill Bastian, Becky Sisson, Amy, John and Bill Leinonen, Richard Hietala, Amber Leinonen, and Brandon and Jessie Leinonen; five great-grandchildren, Destiny Fountain, Penelope Osier, Emma and Chloe Sisson and Alyessa Leinonen; and brothers, Donald Kleimola, of Ramsay, Mich., and Wayne Sikkila, of Austin, Texas.

Besides her mother and father, Elaine was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Kleimola and Ronald Sikkila; and a sister, Vienna Weber Thomas.

A family memorial service will be held July 13 at the Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Arden Rehab and Healthcare in June to provide closure for the caring staff and fellow residents who enjoyed having Elaine with them over the past nine months.

The Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family can be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.

Those desiring to do something in memory of Elaine Leinonen are asked to please consider a donation to the Salvation Army, as they befriend those residents of assisted living and nursing homes.