Pauline Faye Lempiainen, 72, of Park Rapids, formerly of Menahga, passed away Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007.
She was born March 18, 1934, in Pine River, to Harley and Florida (Chismore) Coffland. She attended public school in Backus, graduating from the Backus High School with the class of 1952. She went on to attend Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis where she earned her Registered Nursing degree. Her nursing career was cut short due to a serious injury she received while on the job. She was married to Melvin August Lempiainen in 1965. They engaged in dairy farming in the Huntersville area where they raised five children. In 1977, she moved into Menahga where she resided in the Southgate Addition, In 2001, she moved to Summerfield Place in Park Rapids. She enjoyed keeping active in her community. She served as president of the Park Rapids Senior Citizens' Association for four years. She volunteered her time and talents playing the piano and singing to nursing home residents in the communities of Park Rapids, Menahga and Walker. She was also a faithful member of the Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will long be remembered for her delicious homemade breads and caramel rolls. She was a skillful writer who especially enjoyed writing children's stories. When she was younger, she looked forward to planting beautiful flowers and nurturing them into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. She was especially passionate about her roses. She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed fishing and camping with her son-in-law, Curt, and daughter, Paula. She was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and never missed a game on the radio or TV. In her quiet times she enjoyed playing cards with her friends and reading. Above all, she loved their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Marty Giese and the Rev. Russ Paulson officiating. Interment will be in the Huntersville Cemetery. The active casket bearers were Mark Underhill, Brett Dormanen, Kyle Dormanen, Josh Harding, Charlie Dormanen and Josh Henderson. The honorary casketbearers were her grandchildren. Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her five children, Paula (Curtis) Dormanen of Nevis, Susie Olson of Wadena, Tillie Lempiainen of Duluth, Melvin Lempiainen Jr., of Palm Bay, Fla., and Lewis (Sacha) Lempiainen of St. Paul; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rita (Herb) Underhill of Longville, Minn., and Lily (Bruce) Dixon of Edgerton, Minn.; brother, Jim (Verna) Coffland of Backus; as well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Melvin.
