Edna Mae Sophia Felak, age 78 of Maple Grove, Minnesota, passed away August 5, 2019. She was born as a twin of her sister Mary Ann in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on June 12, 1941 to Henry and Hilda (Hillukka) Keranen.

Edna Mae lived with her family on the farm in Wolf Lake, and graduated from Menahga High School in 1959. Following her graduation, she made her way to the Twin Cities to live and work on her career. She liked to explore the United States, and would often take lengthy vacations to beautiful places in the world. Her travels included visiting countries in North and South America, Asia and Europe, including several trips to Finland!

She then decided to further her education to receive a barber certificate. She cut and styled many clients in the Metro area and also owned her own barber shop for a time. Edna met her future husband, Steven Felak, while cutting his hair. The two were joined in marriage on September 26, 1982 at Wolf Lake Laestadian Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, Minnesota. Steven was a pilot, which allowed the two of them to explore the world even more. A favorite destination was Hawaii.

Edna Mae was a peaceable, compassionate & friendly person with a generous heart. She especially loved her family. Though she was not blessed with children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews as if her own. She was talented in sewing; she quilted blankets, and would gift these crafted treasures to her nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She enjoyed gardening, often trying to grow large pumpkins in the patch! Strawberry picking was one of her favorite hobbies; she spent hours picking pounds of berries and most of the time gave them away to her family and friends. One particular evening, after work, she picked 100 pounds of strawberries! Her generosity was one of her many qualities that made her so special; always providing for those she loved so much.

Edna Mae loved Christmas, and made it special for everyone. She’d spend weeks preparing her house with decorations—every room was elaborately decorated; she’d spend hours perfecting each and every corner with something festive. Her house was transformed into her very own little Christmas wonderland. She loved entertaining and preparing meals for family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Steven; parents, Henry and Hilda; brother, Elmer and infant brother, Roland; and brother-in-law, Art Haverinen.

Edna is survived by her siblings, Harold (Aila) Keranen, Robert (Nancy) Keranen, Mary Ann Haverinen, Arnold (Cindy) Keranen, Arlene (Kenny) Arvola, Helen (Bill) Rath, Jean (Les) Huhta, Glenn Keranen, Carol (Duane) Waaraniemi, Annette (Ralph) Kilpela, and Randy (Sheila) Keranen; sister-in-law, Hannah Keranen; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, 8/11/19, at 6:30 PM with visitation at 5:00 PM at the Minneapolis Laestadian Lutheran Church: 13030 47th Ave N, Plymouth, MN and on Monday, 8/12/19, at 2 PM with visitation at 1 PM at Wolf Lake Laestadian Lutheran Church: 16690 Co. Hwy 38, Frazee, MN. Interment to follow at Balmi Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences may be directed to
www.thepetersonchapel.com
763-682-1363