Amelia Eskeli, 79, of Plummer, MN died on Thursday, January 27, 2000 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN after a 2 ½ year battle with Leukemia. Arrangements with the Petterson Funeral Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2000 at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN with the Reverend Clarence Johnson Officiating. Burial will be held in the Finnish Cemetery near Plummer, MN.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday only.

Amelia Irene Eskeli was born March 30, 1920 daughter of the late John and Helga (Hakala) Wappula in Middle River, MN. She was raised there and attended school there. Amelia was confirmed at the Finnish Lutheran Church in Middle River. She attended teachers training and began teaching in rural schools of Marshall County. Later after attending Moorhead State Teachers College she taught in Halma and Raymond, MN. Amelia enlisted in the WAVES in 1944. She was trained at Hunter College, New York to be a bombing instructor and then transferred to Banana River Air Station in Florida. She was honorably discharged in 1946.
Amelia returned to teaching. On June 5, 1948 she was united in marriage to Leo Eskeli at Middle River, MN. Amelia and Leo farmed in Emardville Township until his death in March 1994. Amelia was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer where she served as assistant organist, Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir for over 50 years. She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a past member of the Minnesota Education Association.
She moved into Senior Housing in Plummer in April 1996. Amelia enjoyed music, gardening, rug weaving, crossword puzzles and visiting with her many friends.
She is survived by her daughter Karen (Lowell) Johnson of New York Mills, MN and grandson Nick Johnson of Moorhead, MN. Sisters Ruth (Emil) Daez of Long Beach, CA, Sadie Chambers of Oak Harbor, WA and Sally Olson of Bloomington, MN. Brothers-in-law Melvin (Rosemary) Eskeli, Leonard Eskeli and Edward Eskeli. Sisters-in-law Helen Fremling, Wilma Huotari and Saima Wappula. Many nieces and nephews.
Amelia is preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter Mary Ellen Eskeli, brothers John, Wappula, Raymond Wappula, George Wappula, Willie Wappula and sister Ellen Kuklinca.
ORGANIST/ SOLOIST: Grace Hammer A Song of Peace
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Holy, Holy, Holy #165 Eternal Father, Strong to Save #467
CASKET BEARERS: Brent Hemly, Arlan Koskela, Steve Eskeli, Don Fox, Melvin Wappula, Eldon Vigstol
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Post, Plummer, MN
HONORARY MILITARY: American Legion Auxiliary, Plummer, MN