August 29, 1936 – Saturday, November 19, 2016
Service Information
St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN
Saturday, June 30, 2018
11:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN
Saturday, June 30, 2018
10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Magdalena “Leni” Korfe
August 29, 1936 – November 19, 2016
Magdalena “Leni” Korfe, nee Czekalla, of Marana, Arizona, was called home to Heaven on November 19, 2016 at Tucson Golden Life Assisted Living. Her husband, George, was at her side.
Leni was born in Oberschlesien, Germany. Her father, Robert, was of Polish descent and her mother, Franziska (nee Klein), was German. She was the youngest of seven children. Leni’s childhood was disrupted by World War II. Her family moved around everywhere during the war. During that time, she was separated from her father who worked as a ship builder. The Red Cross found the two of them and helped them settle after the war. As they were standing in a breadline, Leni spotted her father and the three of them were reunited.
In June of 1956, Leni met George Korfe. They were married on December 12, 1957. Their oldest son, Roland, was born in Germany. The family moved to Minnesota in 1958, and God blessed them with three more children. Business interests relocated the family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, before they retired to Marana, Arizona.
Leni was a woman of diverse interests and talents. In addition to raising four children, she worked as a beautician. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing around the home and in the church choir. When she cooked, everyone ate and no one went home hungry. She was also good with her hands, knitting and crocheting afghans that she would later give to family and parishioners or those in need.
It was all a reflection of her deep and abiding faith in Jesus. Born into a Roman Catholic family, Leni loved God and worshiped from the time she was a little girl. After she met George and settled in America, she was later baptized and confirmed Lutheran in 1973. Her Christianity was evident during her days at Redeemer, where she regularly worshiped and communed, and regularly served in a variety of ways.
Leni is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Franziska; six siblings; and their oldest daughter, Cynthia.
She is survived by her husband, George Korfe; sons, Roland (Jane) Korfe, David (Debra) Korfe, daughter, Tracy (Darryl) Jelinek; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial will be held for both George and Leni on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Monticello, MN. George and Leni’s remains will be laid to rest in Buffalo, MN, at Lakeview Cemetery following the Memorial.