Eunice Jeanette Korpi, 84, died on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls, MN, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, April 25, 2011, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Bob Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow at the Finnish Cemetery in Middle River, MN.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM, Monday, April 25, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

Eunice Jeanette Ness was born in New Solum Township on January 31, 1927, the daughter of Hans and Emelia (Johnson) Ness. Eunice was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Holt, MN. She attended country school near Holt and high school in Newfolden, MN, graduating with the class of 1945.

After high school, Eunice worked for her uncle, Ted Ness at his restaurant in Holt. It was there that she met and fell in love with Elmer Korpi. The couple was married on June 5, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. They settled on the family farm in Spruce Valley Township near Middle River, MN.

Elmer and Eunice were blessed with two sons, Larry and Rick. For over 30 years, they farmed small grains and raised dairy cattle. Eunice worked hard tending to her family and the farm. She was very active with gardening, canning, cooking, and baking. In 1989 Elmer passed away. Eunice continued to live on their farm until moving to Thief River Falls in 1997, where she resided at Riverside Terrace. Later she moved to Oakland Park Communities, where she has since resided.

Eunice was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Middle River, MN, and was also a member of Ladies Aid and the garden club there for many years. While living in Middle River, she enjoyed the neighborhood birthday parties that were held on the farms near to where she lived. Eunice was a very proud grandmother to Larry Jr., Sonya, and Reed. Grandma Korpi would sit under the big oak by the garden, shell peas and snap green beans and tell great stories, sneak the grandkids down to Dairy Queen helping them escape evening chores, bake lefse, and she loved cleaning the venison for the hunters during deer season. Her chocolate donuts would always be cooling on her counter after school. She considered herself very lucky to live close to her children and grandchildren. Her daughter-in-law, Audrey, was the daughter she never had. Eunice will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her sons, Larry (Audrey) Korpi of Thief River Falls, MN and Rick Korpi of Thief River Falls, MN; three grandchildren, Larry Korpi Jr. of Thief River Falls, MN, Sonya (Raymond) Arndt of Houston, TX, and Reed (Kristie) Korpi of Middle River; great-granddaughter, Sarah Korpi of Thief River Falls, MN, and sister-in-law, Delores Ness of Newfolden, MN.

Preceding Eunice in death is her husband, Elmer; her parents, and two brothers, Marshall and David Ness

ORGANIST: Kathy Rokke
SPECIAL MUSIC: The New Hope Singers
SELECTIONS: The Old Rugged Cross & Because He Lives
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Amazing Grace