Nina Elizabeth (Ryoppy) Filpula was born on July 22, 1916 to Adam & Eliina Ryoppy in Middle River, MN. She was the youngest of 11 children. Nina was baptized and confirmed at the Finnish Lutheran Church in Middle River. She attended grade school in the area and high school in Middle River, graduating in 1933. Following her graduation from high school, Nina and her sister, Martha, ventured out to Larchmont, NY where they worked as nannies. Later she worked at bakeries owned by her brothers. Nina married Ernest Anderson in 1941 in Thief River Falls, MN. They farmed near Middle River. He passed away in l951. In August 1952, she married Raymond Filpula at Middle River. Nina continued to be a homemaker and mother at home in Spruce Valley Township near Middle River. She was an active member of First Lutheran Church, having taught Sunday School and was involved in Ladies Aid. Nina and Ray moved to Thief River Falls in l980 and resided at Riverside Terrace. While in Thief River Falls, they were active members of the Abundant Life Church. They continued to reside in Thief River Falls until they moved to the Karlstad Healthcare Center in 2003. Ray passed away in November 2003 and Nina continued to live there. Nina was a very good cook and loved to bake many tasty treats which she shared over the years. She enjoyed the simple things in life - friends, neighbors, and family and was especially proud of her two granddaughters - Kelsey and Ashley. Nina followed closely all of Kelsey and Ashley's school, church, and community activities over the years. Nina loved to read and kept up on the many events in the area by reading "THE HONKER" faithfully each week. Nina is survived by her two sons - Richard (Amy) Filpula of Chaska, MN and David Filpula of Bethesda, MD, two granddaughters, Kelsey (Thor) Didrikson of Roseau, MN and Ashley Filpula of Detroit, MI, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Ernest and Raymond, and brothers - Hank, Wayne, Bill, George, Rudy, and Arnie, sisters - Eva, Bertha, Ann, and Martha. Nina passed away peacefully on January 19, 2012 at the Karlstad Healthcare Center at the age of 95 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Funeral service will be 11 AM, Saturday, January 28, 2012 at First Lutheran Church, Middle River, MN with visitation from 9-11 AM, Saturday at the church. Burial will follow at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Middle River, MN. Rev. Curtis Matz will officiate. ORGANIST: Lois Peterson SPECIAL MUSIC: Lois & Lois PALLBEARERS: Randy Rose, Gary Schroeder, Steve Holm, Harold Maijala, Gene Filpula, Marc Schenkey