Lillian Katainen
1927 – 2008

     Lillian “Lil” Katainen, 81, a long-time Menahga area resident, died peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2008 at the home of her daughter Diane in Menahga, Minnesota, surrounded by her family.
Lil was born on April 7, 1927, in Sebeka, Minnesota, to William and Ellen (Kokkonen) Weappa. As a girl, she attended country school near her home and went on to attend Sebeka High School, graduating with the class of 1945. As a teenager, Lil worked as a bowling pin setter at the Sebeka bowling alley. After high school, she worked at the Sebeka Co-op grocery store.
On August 5, 1950, Lil was united in marriage to Rudolph Andrew Katainen at the University Lutheran Church of Hope in Minnea­polis, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children: Ione, Diane, Gary, and Greg. Lil devoted her life to making a loving home for her husband and children. She was a gifted seamstress who often sewed clothes for her growing family. In 1972, Rudy and Lil returned to the Sebeka-Huntersville area.  In 1989, Lil’s life was saddened by the death of her husband. She moved into Menahga a short time later where she made her home at Pine Villa Apartments. Lil enjoyed serving the Lord by serving others. She would often help friends and neighbors by giving them rides to their appointments, helping them with errands, or going out to lunch. She was a faithful member of First English Lutheran Church in Menah­ga where she regularly helped with the weekly bulletins and newsletters, loyally sewed with the quilting group, assisted Pastor Bruer with services at Green Pine Acres nursing home, and served with the Anna Circle in the church kitchen.   Above all, Lil devoted herself to her family. She was full of fun and life. It didn’t matter if the challenge was sledding with the grandkids, horseback riding, taking a plunge on an alpine slide run in the mountains, racing go-carts, miniature golfing, hiking a mountain, or traveling the country…she was first in line! She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her two daughters: Ione (Jack) Watkins of Sweet Home, Oregon, and Diane (Ken) Senkyr of Menahga; two sons: Gary Katainen of Minneapolis and Greg (Kathy) Katainen of Idaho Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren: Sarah (Patrick) Bowler, Natalie Watkins, Adam Senkyr, Alina, Kaisa and Jori Katainen; four great-grandchildren: Alison, Emily, Jaren, and Paige Bowler; her sister, CeCie (Ken) Doud of Vancouver, Washington; two brothers: Clyde (Darlene) Weappa of Rapid City, South Dakota and Floyd (Millie) Weappa of Britt, Minnesota; as well as many other relatives and friends.
 Lil was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and three brothers: Richard, Ralph, and James.
Funeral services were held June 12 at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating. Vicki Paurus was the organist. The congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Just As I Am,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “On Eagles Wings.” Reverend Steven Bruer sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” The pallbearers were Lil’s sons, Gary and Greg Katainen; her brothers: Clyde and Floyd Weappa; her two grandsons: Adam Senkyr and Jori Katainen; and her two sons-in-law: Ken Senkyr and Jack Watkins. Interment was made in the Huntersville Cemetery next to her husband, Rudolph.  Memorial contributions may be given to First English Lutheran Church in Menah­ga or St. Joseph’s Hospice in Park Rapids. Arrangements were with Jones-Pearson of Menahga.