Bertha L. Koski, 90, of Esko died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Golden Oaks Assisted Living in Hermantown. She was born Oct. 19, 1916, in Finlayson, the 10th of 11 children to Charles and Amanda Hellman. Bertha graduated from Finlayson High School in 1935. She worked as a private housekeeper in Duluth until she married Walter Koski on June 10, 1939. After her marriage she worked as a waitress at the Kytto Boarding House in Cloquet. From 1946 until 1965 she farmed with her husband. During the early 1970s Bertha was a home health aide for Carlton County. Her memberships include St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and the Cloquet Senior Bowling League. Her hobbies include berry picking, flower and vegetable gardening, baking and cooking, but her greatest joy came from spending time and playing games with her grandchildren.
Bertha was preceded in death by her brothers, Eino, Reuben and Swen; and sisters, Anna Miller, Pearl Bukkila, Marie Kyro, Esther Rokke, Edith Gustafson, and Ebba Bergin.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Walter; daughters, Geraldine Vaala of Newport Beach, Calif., Bonnie (Doug) Friedman of Irvine, Calif., Becky (Bill) Soboleski of Cloquet and Debbie (Corky) Joslin of Sturgeon Lake; sister, Edna Leinonen of Cokato; nine grandchildren, Paul, Chris, Aaron, Sarah, Jonathon, Lauren, Justin, Jamie and Lacey; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, in Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet, and continued Monday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko. Entombment was in Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery in Hermantown.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.
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Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www. northlandfuneralhome.com
December 20, 2006
- Cloquet, Minn.
